The return of fighters from these units for a long time was blocked by the Russian side for various reasons, the report said.
Every third liberated Ukrainian soldier has been captured for more than 3 years. Since 2022, 311 Ukrainian defenders have been in captivity, from 2023-122, from 2024-150.
In total, 497 representatives of the Ground Forces, 97 sailors of the naval forces, 95 territorial defense fighters, 72 paratroopers, 21-two representatives of unmanned systems and two-two support forces were released during the exchange of 1000 per 1000.
56 border guards, 31 National Guard, one representative of the State Special Transport Service were also released.
175 defenders of the Mariupol garrison returned home, 81 of them were captured from Azovstal.
Context
The exchange of prisoners in the format of 1000 per 1000 delegations from Ukraine and Russia agreed in negotiations on May 16 in Istanbul (Türkiye). On May 22, Deputy Head of the Coordinating Headquarters on the treatment of prisoners of war Andrei Yusov said that the Ukrainian side handed the Russian Federation a list of exchange in the “1000 per 1000” format.
As part of the first stage of exchange on May 23, 390 Ukrainians returned home – 270 military and 120 civilians. They exchanged fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the State Border Service. Among them are three women and 387 men.
On May 24, the second stage took place – they were released from captivity 307 people. All of them are men, representatives of the ordinary and sergeant composition of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards and territorial defense fighters. Among them are 27 defenders of Mariupol.
On May 25, the last stage of the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and the aggressor of the Russian Federation in the format “1000 per 1000” took place. 303 Ukrainians returned home.
