"Our people are home. Most of them have been held in russian captivity since 2022. Today, our defenders are returning—those who defended Ukraine in various regions: the Donetsk oblast and Mariupol, the Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson oblasts. These are warriors from the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service. And also civilians. Exchanges must continue, and I thank everyone who makes that happen. Ukraine's goal is to free all our people from russian captivity. Thank you to everyone who helps make it happen", - President Zelensky posted on Telegram on July 4.
According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, a group of defenders from the categories "wounded and seriously ill" as well as "under 25 years old" have been returned from russian captivity.
The youngest released Defender is just 20 years old. The oldest is 59. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, officers were also freed.
Among those freed today are again Defenders of Mariupol, who had been held in captivity since 2022. The vast majority of those released had been in captivity for over three years.
The released prisoners of war will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance with physical and psychological rehabilitation, and also receive all the due payments for the entire period of their captivity, the statement said.
