Another Group of Severely Wounded Ukrainian POWs Returns From Russian Captivity

Ukraine has secured the return of a group of severely wounded and gravely ill defenders from Russian captivity as part of an ongoing humanitarian exchange effort governed by the Istanbul agreements.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The newly repatriated prisoners include enlisted personnel and non-commissioned officers from multiple branches of Ukraine’s defense forces, including the Armed Forces, Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Air Defense, Unmanned Systems Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard.

Notably, several of those released had been held captive since the siege of Mariupol in 2022.

Each individual suffers from serious medical conditions such as epilepsy, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, visual impairments, musculoskeletal disorders, hernias, and chronic gastrointestinal illnesses. 

Many have also experienced extreme weight loss due to prolonged detention and inadequate medical care.

Following their return, all defenders are being transferred to medical facilities for comprehensive evaluations, treatment, and rehabilitation. 

The government will ensure that each receives full legal assistance, reinstatement of personal documents, and financial compensation for the entire duration of their captivity.

The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that this is only one stage in an ongoing process and that further exchanges are planned. 

The exact number of prisoners released will be disclosed once all phases of the operation are completed.

“I am grateful to everyone who is returning our people,” Zelenskyy emphasized. “We are working to ensure that the exchanges continue until we return everyone.”

As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine has begun a new staged prisoner exchange with Russia, with the first group of Ukrainian prisoners of war under the age of 25 safely returned home.