Ukraine: kyiv announces the return of 207 Ukrainian prisoners of war

On his social networks, Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated his government for having successfully carried out this return of more than 200 soldiers, which comes a few days after Moscow accused Ukraine of having bombed a plane on board of which were reportedly, according to Russia, several dozen Ukrainian soldiers. The release of several hundred of them is a relief on the Ukrainian side.

“Our people are back. 207 of them. We will bring them home whatever happens,” declared Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky on the social network X on January 31, 2024. AFP - -

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With our correspondent in Kiev

,

Emmanuelle Chaze

“

Good news, the one we were waiting for

”, it is with these words that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the return of 207 Ukrainian prisoners of war detained by Russia and released in a surprise exchange which saw dozens of Officers and soldiers of the territorial defense, national guard, border guards, police and medical personnel return to Ukraine.

Good news. The one we have been waiting for. Today, we were able to free 207 more Ukrainians from Russian captivity. 180 privates and sergeants. 27 officers.



Almost half of them are Mariupol defenders. Armed Forces, National Guard, Border Guard, and National Police — 207… pic.twitter.com/mf0OPDljsU

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 31, 2024

Read alsoIn full escalation, Moscow and kyiv exchange hundreds of prisoners of war

Among those released, we know that at least thirty suffered from wounds or illnesses and that these soldiers were defending cities in the east of the country such as Mariupol, Kherson or Snake Island in the Black Sea. kyiv confirmed that this was the fiftieth exchange of prisoners with Russia, an exchange made possible thanks to the mediation of the United Arab Emirates, as was the case during the last similar operation on January 3.

Since 2022, more than 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been released, but kyiv says at least 3,000 others are still held in Russian prisons, along with around 30,000 civilians. So many families in Ukraine are still waiting for their loved ones to return.

Also read: Russian Il-76 military plane crashes with 65 Ukrainian prisoners on board, says Moscow

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  • Ukraine

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