You're reading: Poroshenko meets Ukrainian servicemen freed from captivity

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met at Vasylkiv airfield a plane of the Air Forces of Ukraine carrying 145 Ukrainian servicemen, who were released from captivity on Dec. 26.

Poroshenko welcomed the freed captives on the Ukrainian land, paid his respect to them and thanked them for their service, the president’s press service reported.

“My heart is filled with joy, because you, as I promised, will be able to celebrate the New Year with your families and brothers in arms,” the head of state said.

“Unfortunately, not everybody has returned yet. Four of our fellows are coming tomorrow. But we will look for and find everyone and won’t leave anyone,” Poroshenko said.

Soldiers from different units of the army and the National Guard, the Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) battalion, the Donbas battalion and other volunteer battalions and several volunteers who assisted the servicemen, were held in captivity varying from several weeks to several months. The negotiations about their release lasted for a long time.

All the servicemen were taken from the airfield into a warm room. On Dec. 27, they will be able to meet with their relatives and friends.

It was reported that 222 militants had been swapped for 150 Ukrainian government troops on a neutral.

Ukrainian Security Service chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko had reported to Poroshenko on Dec. 26 that 146 Ukrainian servicemen had been freed and four others were expected to be freed on Saturday.