Ukraine Returns 160 Prisoners, Including 58 Officers, in Exchange with Russia
On June 26, Ukraine secured the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, including 58 officers. The exchange involved defenders from Mariupol and Azovstal, many seriously ill or wounded.
Prisoner Exchange on June 26
On June 26, a planned prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and Russia. According to Andriy Yusov, Major of the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) and representative of the Coordination Staff for Prisoner of War Matters, this was a combined exchange involving personnel from various branches and units of the Security and Defense Forces.
Key Figures: 58 Officers and Over 100 Mariupol Defenders
A total of 160 Ukrainian servicemen were returned. Yusov emphasized that the return of 58 officers is particularly significant, as officers are especially difficult to bring back from Russian captivity. All released individuals had been in captivity since 2022. Among them are seriously ill and severely wounded personnel, who are receiving immediate medical attention.
More than 100 of the freed defenders are from Mariupol, including members of the Azovstal garrison. They fought on almost all front-line directions, including the Kyiv region at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Future Exchanges
Yusov noted that work on subsequent exchanges is ongoing and that the next ones could happen soon. The president and various agencies released footage of the prisoners being welcomed on Ukrainian soil.
