On September 13, another prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia, resulting in the return of 49 military personnel, including defenders of Azovstal.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram, and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced the news.
"49 Ukrainians are home. These include soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, and our civilian individuals," Zelensky shared.
According to the President, among those released was Leniie Umierov, a woman who was taken hostage by the Russians while she was visiting to care for her sick father.
"Additionally, we managed to free more of the defenders of 'Azovstal.' Among those returning home is Hero of Ukraine, military medic Viktor Ivchuk," Zelensky added.
Additionally, among those freed are 23 soldiers and sergeants, and 19 officers.
"Eight are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (including two from Territorial Defense), two from the National Police, four border guards, 13 military sailors, and 15 defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal from the National Guard. The remaining seven are civilians. The freed defenders had been protecting our land in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson directions," the Staff reported.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that the health condition of those returning from captivity is very serious, with many having lost dozens of kilograms in weight.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a total of 3,569 Ukrainians have returned home. Today marked the 56th prisoner exchange.
