The largest exchange of prisoners since the full-scale invasion has taken place: 230 Ukrainian men and women have been released

Within the framework of the work of the Coordination Headquarters on Prisoner Handling under the instruction of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, another exchange of prisoners has taken place - the largest in terms of the number of returned Defenders.

A total of 230 Defenders are returning home. Among them are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine - 130 (including 14 from the Tactical Operations Forces and 14 from the Navy), National Guard - 55, State Border Guard Service - 38, National Police - 1, and six civilians who were unlawfully deprived of liberty.

The returnees include those who had an official status as prisoners of war, confirmed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (182 individuals), as well as Ukrainian servicemen who were considered missing and had the status of "person search" (48).

The majority of those released are men (225), and there are five women. Among them, 213 are rank-and-file and sergeants, while eleven are officers.

After exhausting months in captivity, including a combat medic from the 36th OBMP, has returned. While in captivity, she consistently spoke Ukrainian. The Russians several times simulated her transfer for exchange but returned her to the place of detention.

Finally, seven Defenders from Snake Island, a musician from the military orchestra, a servicewoman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who was captured while on maternity leave, National Guard members captured while performing duties at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, a civilian lecturer at the East Ukrainian National University named after V. Dal, and defenders of Mariupol will see their families and loved ones.

The released prisoners were greeted by the head of the Coordination Headquarters on Prisoner Handling Kyrylo Budanov, member of the Coordination Headquarters, Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, and Secretary of the Headquarters Dmytro Usov.

Special thanks are also expressed to the United Arab Emirates for their active participation in facilitating this exchange.