A significant exchange took place in Ukraine, resulting in the return of both military personnel and civilians. On Ukraine's Independence Day, following the President's directive, another prisoner exchange occurred. According to agreements made in Istanbul, Ukrainian soldiers returned home along with eight civilians in the framework of the 68th exchange.

The released soldiers represent various branches of the military: airborne troops, naval forces, air forces, as well as territorial defense and the National Guard. All are of private and sergeant rank, with most having spent over three years in captivity.

Among those returning are defenders who fought in Mariupol, Lugansk, Donetsk, and other regions, as well as those who guarded the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. There are also individuals who fell into enemy hands in temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea.

Among the released civilians are two Ukrainian journalists, Dmytro Khiliuk and Mark Kaliush, who were detained by the occupiers in 2022 and 2023. Also released is medic Serhiy Kovalov from the “Hospitallers” battalion, who saved lives during the siege of the “Azovstal” plant, and former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko, who did not cooperate with the occupiers.

We express our gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in organizing the return of our citizens. The released individuals will receive comprehensive medical care, undergo examinations and treatment, and will also receive state-provided payments, rehabilitation, and support for reintegration into society after prolonged isolation.

We sincerely thank all involved organizations and entities for their coordinated efforts aimed at freeing our citizens. The coordination headquarters continues to work on locating, documenting, and returning everyone who remains in Russian captivity.