Ukraine secures release of 175 defenders from captivity

"Today marks another day of Ukraine reclaiming its own. We have successfully secured the release of 175 defenders from Russian captivity. Additionally, another 22 defenders are returning home through avenues outside of formal exchanges, including the seriously wounded and those prosecuted by Russia on fabricated charges.

All will urgently receive the necessary medical and psychological assistance," Zelensky wrote.

Photo: Office of the President

According to Zelensky, this is one of the largest exchanges. Among the returnees are fighters from:

• the Armed Forces,
• the Navy,
• the National Guard,
• the Territorial Defense Forces,
• the Border Guard.

These soldiers served in Mariupol, Azovstal, and the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kursk regions.

As reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, among those rescued from Russian captivity this time were:

• 166 privates and sergeants,
• nine officers.

Photo: Office of the President

The exchange took place with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates.

Zelensky thanked the team involved in the search for Ukrainian prisoners and the exchanges for this important work, for the results that give hope.

"And we are grateful to all our partners, especially the United Arab Emirates, for making today's exchange possible. Ukraine remembers each and every one of our heroes, and we will definitely return all our people home," the head of state noted.

All those who return home will immediately receive the necessary medical and psychological assistance.

Photo: Office of the PresidentRussian leader Vladimir Putin announced the prisoner exchange on March 18 during a conversation with US President Donald Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange, noting it was prearranged.

For reference:

Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner-of-war exchange, resulting in the release of 150 Ukrainian defenders, including soldiers, sergeants, and officers.

According to Zelensky, some of these individuals were held in captivity for over two years. For them and their families, today is a day that carries more significance than years of waiting. It is true happiness to see them return home, alive and free.

It should be noted that 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.

Many Ukrainians have been 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.

Earlier, Rubryka reported that Ukrainian intelligence documented an increase in the number of Ukrainians released from Russian captivity last year, with 356 more citizens returning home in 2024 compared to 2023.

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