“These are defenders from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard. Among those released are soldiers who defended Ukraine in Mariupol, as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Sumy directions”, - President Zelensky said on social media on August 19.
“Thank you to all our soldiers who replenish Ukraine’s exchange fund and, through their courage, make it possible to bring Ukrainian men and women home. I am grateful to the team that works every day to secure the release of our people. We remember everyone who still remains in captivity. We are doing everything possible to bring all our people home”, - the President emphasized.
As Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, reported on Telegram, the overwhelming majority of those returned are soldiers and sergeants, accounting for 99% of those released. The oldest is 59, while the youngest is 26. Two of the defenders had birthdays yesterday — they turned 34 and 45. There are also seriously wounded and seriously ill people among those returned.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War notes that all those released will undergo a full medical examination, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation assistance, as well as all payments provided by the state. Ukraine will ensure the reintegration of the heroes into society after prolonged isolation.
“We express our gratitude to the United States and the UAE for their assistance in organizing the exchange”, - the Headquarters emphasized.
