Another 300 Ukrainians return home from captivity
Ukraine has returned another 300 of its citizens from Russian captivity. This marks the second stage of a large prisoner exchange agreed upon during negotiations in Geneva. Among those released are servicemen from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard members, border guards, and two civilians, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Telegram channel.
On Friday, 6 March, the second stage of the major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. Another 300 Ukrainian servicemen, along with two civilians, returned home. President Zelenskyy reported that the freed defenders served in various units, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. The group included privates, sergeants, and officers.
Many of them were captured in the early years of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Some spent over a year in Russian prisons, and some have been held since 2022. These soldiers served on different sections of the front, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Defenders of Mariupol were also among those returned.
President Zelenskyy thanked everyone who helped prepare the exchange and bring the people home. “Thank you to all our servicemen who made this possible, replenishing Ukraine’s exchange fund. Thanks to the entire team that worked to achieve this result,” he wrote.
He also thanked international partners who assisted in organizing the negotiations. “Grateful to the United States for their mediation. It is important that the agreements worked,” the president noted. This exchange was part of the agreements reached during the Geneva negotiations. Over two days, nearly 500 Ukrainians were returned, bringing long-awaited news to many families. Some of the released soldiers had been held for years and had little or no contact with relatives.
After returning, the defenders undergo medical examinations and rehabilitation. Most require treatment and psychological support following their prolonged captivity. President Zelenskyy emphasized that efforts to bring Ukrainians home continue: “We remember each and every one and will definitely bring back all our people.”
The Ukrainian government has repeatedly stated that freeing prisoners is one of its top priorities. Work on further exchanges continues, and the state aims to return every Ukrainian held in Russian captivity.
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