Russia's Defense Ministry says that 106 Russian servicemen "who had been held captive in mortal danger, were returned from Kyiv-controlled territory" Monday. The servicemen will be flown to Moscow and provided with medical and psychological assistance,
CNN reports.
Ukraine's presidential office head, Andriy Yermak confirmed there was a prisoner swap saying 100 Ukrainians were returned home. They included "military, sailors, border guards, and National Guard servicemen."
He said that "defenders of Mariupol, Azovstal and Hostomel" who were "seriously injured and have diseases" are among those released, adding it's a key priority for President Volodymyr Zelensky to "return all our people."
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War provided more details on the Ukrainian servicemen who were returned.
"As a result of another exchange of prisoners of war, 80 male defenders and 20 female defenders are returning home. Nine of them are officers, the rest are privates and sergeants. This time, 24 National Guardsmen, 22 border guards, 22 representatives of the Navy, 21 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and 11 territorial defense members were released, " the group said on its Telegram channel Monday.
"Almost half of the released prisoners have serious injuries, illnesses or have been tortured. The youngest of the liberated defenders is 19 years old," it added.
Separately from the prisoner of war exchange with Russia, "in accordance with the Geneva Conventions" Ukraine also handed over five "more severely wounded" prisoners including "the only woman who was held in Ukrainian captivity," according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Their repatriation took place without any conditions from the Russian side, according to the organization.
