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49 People, Including Azovstal Defenders, Returned to Ukraine in Prisoner Exchange With Russia

49 People, Including Azovstal Defenders, Returned to Ukraine in Prisoner Exchange With Russia
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Amira Barkhush
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49 Ukrainian fighters and civilians return home from Russian captivity in a new exchange on September 13.

Among the released are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, and the State Border Service. Among the civilians who are back is Leniie Umierova, a Crimean Tatar girl who was taken hostage by the Russian authorities when she went to temporarily occupied Crimea to take care of her sick father. Additionally, 15 fighters of the Azov brigade are among the returned. The Hero of Ukraine, military medic Viktor Ivchuk is also back home.

“I thank our entire team, which ensures the release of prisoners and hostages from Russian captivity. And I would like to note separately each of our Ukrainian divisions that replenish the exchange fund for our state. All our soldiers who capture the Russian occupier, all our services, which neutralize Russian saboteurs and collaborators, bring the release of our people closer. We have to bring home all our soldiers and civilians,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote.

49 Ukrainian fighters return home from Russian captivity in a new exchange on September 13. (Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
49 Ukrainian fighters return home from Russian captivity in a new exchange on September 13. (Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
In particular, Leniie Umierova, a Crimean Tatar who was taken hostage by the Russian authorities when she went to temporarily occupied Crimea to take care of her sick father. In Russia, she was accused of espionage. (Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
In particular, Leniie Umierova, a Crimean Tatar who was taken hostage by the Russian authorities when she went to temporarily occupied Crimea to take care of her sick father. In Russia, she was accused of espionage. (Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
During the exchange, for the first time in a long time, women who were detained before the full-scale invasion and those who were subjected to inhumane treatment were released. (Photo by Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)
During the exchange, for the first time in a long time, women who were detained before the full-scale invasion and those who were subjected to inhumane treatment were released. (Photo by Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images)
49 Ukrainian fighters return home from Russian captivity in a new exchange on September 13. (Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
49 Ukrainian fighters return home from Russian captivity in a new exchange on September 13. (Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
Family together after the son's return from captivity as 49 civilian and military Ukrainians returned to Ukraine from captivity. (Photo by Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)
Family together after the son's return from captivity as 49 civilian and military Ukrainians returned to Ukraine from captivity. (Photo by Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)
22 women have been returned home from captivity. (Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
22 women have been returned home from captivity. (Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy)
As noted by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, the health condition of those returned is very serious; many of them have lost dozens of kilograms. (Photo by Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)
As noted by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, the health condition of those returned is very serious; many of them have lost dozens of kilograms. (Photo by Vlada Liberova/Libkos/Getty Images)
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