59th Prisoner Exchange: Ukraine Returns 189 More Citizens from Russian Captivity
The fifty-ninth exchange of prisoners took place the night before, on 30 December, between Ukraine and the aggressor country Russia, resulting in the return of 189 Ukrainians from Russian captivity: 187 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two civilians. This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
‘Those who defended Azovstal and Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Zmeinyi Island, our military from different frontlines. And two civilians who were captured by Russians in Mariupol. 189 Ukrainians are home again. 189 families are happy again. I am grateful to our partners who help us in this important work,’ Zelenskyy said.
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine reported that this is one of the largest exchanges conducted by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War since the full-scale invasion. In total, 3956 people have already been returned from Russian captivity as part of the work of the Coordination Headquarters on behalf of the President of Ukraine, including 1358 in 2024.
In addition to Mariupol and Zmeinyi Island, the released people defended Ukraine in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson sectors, and the National Guard served to protect the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Those who were captured in the Kursk region were also returned.
Many Ukrainian citizens were held in Russian captivity for more than two and a half years. The defenders suffer from acute chronic illnesses, the consequences of mine-blast injuries, and severe wounds.
This time, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released.
‘Traditionally, we express our gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in organising the exchange,’ the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine stressed.
It should be reminded that the largest homecoming of our Defenders took place on 3 January this year. Then the Coordination Centre managed to bring home 230 people.
Unfortunately, many Ukrainian citizens, both military and civilians, continue to be held in Russian captivity. The Coordination Centre is doing everything possible to continue negotiations and release our people from captivity.