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Ukraine Brings Home 200 POWs in First Stage of Geneva Prisoner Exchange With Russia

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Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko
Dariia Mykhailenko
News Writer
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)

Ukraine has secured the release of 200 servicemen from Russian captivity in the first stage of a prisoner exchange agreed upon during trilateral negotiations in Geneva, according to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on March 5.

The exchange was carried out on the instructions of the President of Ukraine, marking the initial step in implementing agreements reached during recent trilateral talks in Geneva.

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Among those freed are members of multiple branches of Ukraine’s defense and security forces, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Unmanned Systems Forces, Air Assault Forces, and the Air Force. Personnel from the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service were also among those released.

Officials confirmed that the group includes defenders of Mariupol who had spent nearly four years in Russian captivity. The servicemen had previously fought on several of the war’s key fronts, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia.

Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)

In addition to soldiers and sergeants, the exchange also secured the return of Ukrainian officers.

Following their return, the released prisoners will undergo comprehensive medical examinations, as well as physical and psychological rehabilitation. They will also receive all state benefits and payments provided to former prisoners of war.

Officials also expressed gratitude to the United States and President Donald Trump for their role in facilitating efforts to return Ukrainian citizens from Russian territory, and thanked the institutions and organizations involved in coordinating the operation.

Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)
Freed Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in national flags gather after a prisoner exchange, shortly after returning from Russian captivity on March 5. (Source: Office of the President of Ukraine)

“We express our gratitude to the United States of America and President Donald Trump for their productive work in returning Ukrainians from the territory of the Russian Federation. We also thank all involved institutions and organizations for their coordinated efforts aimed at freeing our citizens,” teh statemnet concluded.

Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine and Russia are expected to carry out a prisoner-of-war exchange on March 5–6, under which each side will release 500 captives as part of a “500-for-500” swap.

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