Wounded Ukrainian POWs, Including Mariupol Defenders, Freed in Latest Exchange With Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine and Russia continue exchanging prisoners, following the agreements reached at the second round of talks in Istanbul.

On Tuesday, June 10, the first stage of the exchange of seriously wounded soldiers between Moscow and Kyiv began, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also published the first footage of Ukrainian military personnel returning home.

“All of them require immediate medical attention. This is an important humanitarian act,” Zelensky said.

According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have returned to their native land, including representatives of the Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Air Assault Forces, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service.

Among the defenders liberated today are those who defended Mariupol in 2022 and spent over three years in captivity. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, officers were also successfully released.

All defenders released today have severe injuries and serious illnesses: amputated limbs, vision problems, abscesses, infections, traumas, shrapnel wounds, and chronic diseases. Some of those liberated have been diagnosed with hepatitis and tuberculosis.

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Ukraine Launches Database of Russian Recruiters as Moscow Seeks 18,500 More Foreign Fighters

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and Foreign Ministry launched a new website exposing Russia’s recruitment of foreign nationals for the war against Ukraine. According to the project, more than 28,000 foreigners from dozens of countries signed contracts with the Russian military, while at least 5,149 were confirmed killed.

Yesterday was the first stage of the prisoner exchange, however, and the number of returned home prisoners and lists with names will be published only after the completion of all stages of the exchange, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War explained.

The exchange follows a second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine held June 2 in Istanbul. At the meeting, both sides agreed to exchange all wounded soldiers and those aged under 25 – more than 1,000 people on each side. Moscow also promised to return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war.

Zelensky said the agreements reached in Istanbul on humanitarian issues must be fully honored.

“We must bring everyone home,” he said. “We are working on this at all levels.”

This exchange is set to be the largest of the war, topping last month’s 1,000-for-1,000 swap that was agreed at a first round of talks in Istanbul.