Ukraine has carried out the largest exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. On January 3, 230 Ukrainian fighters and civilians returned home, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported.
UWC Vice President for Middle East and Central Asia Yevheniy Semenov thanked the United Arab Emirates, which facilitated the exchange of prisoners.
“I sincerely thank the UAE for helping to implement the largest exchange of POW in 2 years,” Yevheniy Semenov wrote.
After the freed prisoners of war arrived on Ukrainian territory, the Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and Head of Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Kyrylo Budanov, confirmed the United Arab Emirates’ involvement in the prisoner exchange.
“230 of our people. Today, 213 soldiers and sergeants, 11 officers, and 6 civilians returned home. I am grateful to everyone who achieved this result. We remember each and every one of our people. And we must return all of them,” wrote the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The exchange became the 49th POW swap since the start of full-scale war. “And now there are already 2,828 defenders at home!” wrote Dmytro Lubinets, Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) Commissioner for Human Rights.
Among those who returned from captivity on January 3, 48 people were considered missing and had the status of “wanted persons.” Also, a combat medic from the 36th Marine Brigade returned from captivity. “While in captivity, she spoke Ukrainian. The Russians several times simulated taking her for exchange, but as a result, they returned her to the place of detention,” the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported.
At home, the liberated Ukrainians will receive medical attention, assistance with restoring documents, and rehabilitation.
Photos: Volodymyr Zelenskyy
