Ukraine has successfully carried out another stage of prisoner exchange, returning defenders in line with agreements reached in Istanbul.

Today, the coordination headquarters for prisoners of war, under the orders of the President of Ukraine, has brought back a group of servicemen, including those who are wounded and seriously ill, as well as younger individuals under 25.

Among the released are representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Navy, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Airborne Forces, special operations forces, as well as members of the National Guard and border guards.

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

Among the released today are defenders of Mariupol, who had been held captive since 2022.

The vast majority of those released had been in captivity for over three years.

Returning home are Ukrainians who defended the country in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Kherson directions.

Today, illegally sentenced defenders and civilians deprived of their personal freedom were also released from Russian captivity.

The freed individuals will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all due payments for the duration of their captivity.

The exchange process continues in accordance with the Istanbul agreements. The exact number of released individuals will be announced upon the completion of all exchange stages.

This stage of the exchange took place with the participation of the head of the Coordination Headquarters, the Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov.

The Coordination Headquarters continues its work. We are working on bringing everyone back!

Glory to Ukraine!