In a significant development, Ukraine and Russia executed their 75th prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of 185 Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian who had been held since 2022. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced this successful operation on June 5.
The released Ukrainian military personnel included members from various branches, such as the Armed Forces, Naval Forces, and the National Guard. Many of these individuals were captured during the intense fighting in 2022, particularly during the defense of Mariupol. Among the freed was a participant in a notable helicopter operation to deliver supplies to Azovstal.
The Coordination Headquarters specified that the returned individuals had fought in several regions, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Kherson. The ages of those released ranged from 26 to 62 years, with two officers among them. The headquarters expressed gratitude to the United States and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in facilitating the exchange.
Upon their return, all released personnel will undergo medical examinations, receive necessary treatment, and be provided with essential items. They will also be supported through rehabilitation and reintegration into society after enduring prolonged captivity.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the 185 soldiers returned to Russia were transported to Belarus following the exchange.
Last month, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced ongoing preparations for new phases of prisoner exchanges, aiming for a scale of “1,000 for 1,000,” with the first of these exchanges occurring on May 15.
On the evening of June 4, Zelensky released an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting a specific date for a meeting and reiterating Ukraine’s readiness for an all-encompassing prisoner exchange.
In a statement on March 26, during the fourth anniversary of the Coordination Headquarters, Zelensky noted that over the past four years, 8,669 Ukrainian citizens, both military and civilian, have been returned home.
Ukraine and Russia have successfully completed a prisoner exchange, bringing home 185 Ukrainian soldiers and one civilian. This operation marks a continued effort by both nations to negotiate the return of captured personnel amid ongoing conflict.