Ukraine returns 25 military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity

On January 15, another exchange of military and civilian prisoners of war took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 24 Ukrainian service members returned home.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that.

Among those released are defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson regions.

"The guys have serious injuries and illnesses. Each of them will receive all the necessary medical care," the head of state emphasized.

The president thanked those who organize the exchanges, as well as the United Arab Emirates "for their assistance in making today's event possible."

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets announced that alongside the military personnel, a civilian who was captured by the Russians in the Kyiv region and illegally detained has also been brought back to Ukraine.

"This much-anticipated and crucial event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Ukrainian negotiators, and the support of the UAE's international partners," he noted.

The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that the exchange took place according to the formula "25 for 25", so 25 Russian prisoners were also transferred to Russia.

The previous exchange between Ukraine and Russia was held on December 30, 2024. 189 Ukrainian defenders were returned home.

The released service members include the defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and Zmiinyi Island. Additionally, there are troops who fought in the Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Those captured in Kursk have also been returned.

Many Ukrainians were in Russian captivity for more than two and a half years. The defenders have acute chronic diseases, the consequences of mine and explosive injuries, and serious injuries.

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Earlier, Rubryka reported that Ukrainian intelligence counted the number of Ukrainians released from Russian captivity last year. In 2024, 356 more citizens were returned home than in 2023.

It is worth adding that through Qatar, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets received lists of Ukrainian service members who went missing, as well as letters from prisoners of war.