Ukraine returns seriously ill and under 25 defenders from captivity – photos

Ukraine has returned home its citizens from Russian captivity. Most of them had been held in captivity since 2022, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

We managed to return the defenders who defended Ukraine in the Donetsk region, in particular Mariupol. Also in Luhansk, Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Among them are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.

We also managed to return civilians held captive by the occupiers.

"The exchanges must continue, and I thank everyone who ensures this. Ukraine's goal is to free all our people from Russian captivity. I am grateful to everyone who helps to do this," the President said .

The Coordination Headquarters noted, that the exchange was carried out within the framework of the "Istanbul agreements". The fighters belong to the groups "wounded and seriously ill" and "under 25 years old.".

The youngest released defender was only 20 years old, and the oldest was 59 years old. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, officers were also released.

We also managed to return illegally convicted defenders and civilian Ukrainians deprived of their personal freedom.

• The process of exchanges began on June 9. Then the first group of wounded, seriously ill and under 25 years old was returned home.
• On June 20 , the sixth stage of the exchange took place within the framework of the Istanbul Agreements. Then a group of wounded and seriously ill defenders was also returned.