Today, Ukraine welcomed home another 277 of its heroes who had been held captive by Russia for a long time. This joyful news was announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his social media, emphasizing the importance of each returned soldier for the nation.
“Another 277 Ukrainian warriors have returned home from Russian captivity,” the head of state wrote. “Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and border guards. They defended Mariupol and other areas in the Donetsk region, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk regions (…). In total, since the beginning of the full-scale war, we have managed to bring home 4,552 people from Russian captivity – both soldiers and civilians.”
This exchange is another piece of proof of Ukraine’s unwavering fight for its citizens who have fallen victim to the unprovoked and brutal aggression of the Russian Federation. The courage and resilience of the Ukrainian military, who defended every inch of their native land from the occupiers, serve as an example for the whole world. Many of those who returned today went through the hell of the battles for Mariupol – a city that has become a symbol of heroic resistance.
The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that most of those released are young people born after the year 2000. This is a generation that should have been building its future in a peaceful and independent Ukraine but was forced to take up arms to defend their Homeland from the Russian invader.
“The majority of those who were returned from captivity are young people born after 2000,” the Coordination Headquarters noted, adding that 246 soldiers were returned as part of the prisoner exchange, and another 31 people were released outside of the exchange.
The return of each Ukrainian defender is the result of the painstaking work of many people and agencies. It is evidence that Ukraine does not leave its heroes in trouble and continues to fight for their release.
The Context of Russian Aggression:
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24, 2022, became a bloody continuation of the aggression that has been ongoing since 2014. The Russian Federation has grossly violated international law, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity, unleashing a war that has led to numerous civilian casualties, the destruction of cities and infrastructure, and the occupation of parts of Ukrainian territory. The capture of Ukrainian servicemen is one of the war crimes committed by the Russian occupiers.
Ukraine, at all levels, condemns Russia’s actions and demands the immediate release of all illegally detained citizens. The return of every Ukrainian soldier is a priority for the state, and today’s exchange is another step towards achieving this goal.
Tags: prisoner exchange, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian captivity, Coordination Headquarters, war in Ukraine, Russian aggression, release of prisoners, Ukrainian military.