Ukraine Secures Return of 25 Captives, Including Defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal

Ukraine has successfully facilitated the return of 25 individuals, including military personnel and civilians, from Russian captivity. The operation was conducted as part of a prisoner exchange between the two nations, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Among those released are defenders of Mariupol and the Azovstal plant, as well as individuals from Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Many of them are reported to have sustained severe injuries or are suffering from serious health conditions.

“This exchange underscores our ongoing commitment to bringing our people home,” President Zelenskyy stated. “Today, 25 Ukrainians – both military personnel and civilians – are returning home. Each of them will receive the medical care they urgently require. We are grateful to the team that organizes these exchanges and to the United Arab Emirates for their support in making this event possible.”

Additionally, a civilian detained in the Kyiv region and unlawfully held by Russian forces was among those returned to Ukraine.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Ukraine has established a dedicated framework to secure the release of individuals with severe injuries and illnesses.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed the return of 25 Russian military personnel as part of the exchange. The released Russian soldiers were transferred to Belarus, where they are currently located.

President Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to the safe return of all its citizens, stating, “We will not rest until every Ukrainian held in captivity is back home.”

Earlier, on December 30, 2024, Ukraine secured the release of 189 individuals from Russian captivity, including military personnel and civilians. The group comprised defenders from key locations such as Azovstal, Mariupol, Chernobyl, and Snake Island.