Zelensky announces repatriation of 150 Ukrainian soldiers
On February 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine had successfully repatriated 150 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity.
The prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow marks a significant development in the ongoing humanitarian negotiations between the two countries, according to The Kyiv Independent.
The Ukrainian president stated that among those freed were members of the Navy, Air Force, Airborne Forces, National Guard, Border Police, Territorial Defense Forces, and a police officer. “Although they come from different sectors of the front, they share one thing in common: they fought for Ukraine,” Zelensky said on Telegram.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities confirmed that 150 Russian prisoners of war had returned from Ukrainian captivity, further validating the prisoner exchange.
It is important to note that on December 30, 2024, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner swap involving more than 300 individuals. According to AFP, Ukraine recovered 189 Ukrainian citizens, the majority being soldiers, along with two civilians, while Russia reported that 150 Russian soldiers had been repatriated from territory held by Ukraine.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated that the released Russian prisoners were transferred to Belarus, an ally of the Kremlin.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
