Ukraine frees 90 from Russian captivity in latest prisoner exchange

The exchange, which took place on June 25, included service personnel from Ukraine's Armed Forces, National Guard, border guards, and other units.

According to reports from the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, the exchange involved swapping 90 Ukrainian captives for Russian soldiers.

"We remember all our people in Russian captivity. We continue to work for the release of everyone. We are looking for the truth about everyone who may be held by the enemy," President Zelensky stated, emphasizing ongoing efforts to secure the release of all Ukrainian prisoners.

Among the released captives were 32 National Guard personnel, including defenders of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, 18 border guards, 17 Navy personnel, 15 soldiers from the Armed Forces, and eight territorial defense members, as reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

The headquarters also noted the return of 59 defenders of Mariupol, including 52 soldiers who were stationed at the Azovstal steel plant.

This marks the 53rd prisoner exchange since the onset of the full-scale conflict. As of May 31, approximately 3,300 Ukrainian soldiers have been freed from Russian captivity, according to Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

The exchange was facilitated with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, for which the headquarters expressed gratitude.

Previous exchanges occurred on May 31, freeing 75 Ukrainians, and on January 3, when 230 prisoners were exchanged in the largest swap since Russia's invasion began.

Kyiv aims to negotiate a comprehensive all-for-all prisoner exchange, a key topic addressed during Ukraine's recent peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June. (ILKHA)