Zelenskyy Announces Return of 193 Ukrainian POWs in Swap With Russia

Ukraine has secured the return of 193 service members from Russian captivity as part of the latest prisoner exchange between the two sides, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 24.

“193 Ukrainian warriors are returning home as part of a prisoner exchange,” Zelenskyy wrote. “They include servicemembers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Service, the National Police, and the State Special Transport Service.”

According to the President, those released had been defending Ukraine across multiple sectors of the front. Among them are wounded personnel as well as individuals against whom Russia had opened criminal cases.

“It is important that exchanges are taking place and that our people are returning home,” Zelenskyy said. He thanked all those involved in organizing the swaps, including frontline units contributing to what he described as the “exchange fund,” as well as international partners supporting the process.

“We remember each and every one and continue working every day to bring our people home from Russian captivity,” he added.

Russian media reported that Moscow also received 193 prisoners of war as part of the exchange, suggesting a one-for-one swap.

In a previous such exchange, Ukraine secured the release of 182 Ukrainians from Russian captivity during a 72nd prisoner exchange ahead of Easter.

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