Ukraine Secures Return of 160 Defenders in New Prisoner Exchange Operation

Ukraine Secures Return of 160 Defenders in New Prisoner Exchange Operation

The 76th official exchange with Russia, mediated with the diplomatic support of the US and the United Arab Emirates, brings the cumulative total to over 9.6 thousand rescued civilians and military personnel.

In an operation coordinated by the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Ukraine has officialized the rescue of 160 Ukrainian soldiers and officers who were held captive by Russian forces. The action marks the 76th formal prisoner exchange carried out since the escalation of hostilities. All those released in this stage had been captured in the year 2022.

The repatriated contingent includes a significant portion of combatants who were part of the resistance in the port city of Mariupol, totaling 115 defenders from the region. Among the overall group of 160 repatriated individuals, there are 58 commissioned officers, in addition to soldiers and sergeants. In demographic terms, the youngest rescued combatant completed 26 years of age, while the oldest is 66.

International Support and Domestic Logistics

The negotiation and exchange process was made possible through a joint international mediation effort involving the foreign ministries and governments of the United States of America (USA) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

With this new breakthrough, the historical balance consolidated by the Coordinating Headquarters records a total of 9,606 Ukrainian military personnel and civilians rescued from captivity throughout its official operations.

Defense Structure and Fronts Served

The military personnel returned to Ukrainian territory belong to different corporations and tactical divisions of the national security apparatus:

Armed Forces of Ukraine: Representatives of the Ground Forces, Support Forces, Air Force, Navy, Territorial Defense (TRO), Medical Forces, and specialized units (SHV).

Institutional Security and Borders: Members of the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the State Border Guard Service.

Axis of Operation: According to defense forces reports, these combatants operated directly on the country's most critical front lines, covering the strategic directions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Zaporizhia, Sumy, and Kyiv.

Assistance and Reintegration Protocols

Following the regulatory procedures established for post-rescue care, the government informed that all 160 released individuals will be immediately forwarded for:

 1. Medical and Clinical Exams: Complete diagnostic evaluation and treatment of injuries or pathologies resulting from imprisonment.

 2. Psychosocial Support: Rehabilitation programs designed to mitigate the impacts of prolonged isolation.

 3. Financial and Legal Support: Immediate issuance of civil/military documentation and the release of financial benefits provided by law.

Ukrainian authorities reiterated their public gratitude to all government agencies, humanitarian organizations, and technical experts directly involved in the repatriation missions.