Ukraine releases 277 defenders from Russian captivity on the eve of Easter

On the eve of Easter, hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers returned to their families after an extended stay in captivity. They defended the territories of Donbas, Kherson, Zaporizhia, Luhansk, and Mariupol.

One of the largest military exchanges of this year took place in Ukraine. 277 Ukrainian defenders were released from Russian captivity. The Coordination Headquarters announced this information for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

As a result of the exchange, 246 soldiers were returned, and another 31 citizens returned differently without a negotiation process. Among the released are the defenders of Mariupol, National Guardsmen, military sailors, territorial defense fighters, paratroopers, border guards, and representatives of unmanned systems units.

Most of the released are young people born after 2000. Among them is a female serviceman who spent almost two years in captivity – since May 2022.

The release included 268 private and non-commissioned officers and nine officers. They defended Ukraine in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Mariupol regions.

This exchange was the fourth in 2024 and the 63rd since the start of the full-scale invasion. 4,552 Ukrainians were returned home, and another 529 people were released outside the exchange.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the information about the release of the military:

“Our defenders are one of the best news. I thank everyone who made this happen, particularly the United Arab Emirates, for their mediation. We remember everyone still in captivity, and we must return everyone.”

The Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine also released a video from the exchange site.

The exchange was planned according to information released on April 18.