Ukraine frees 187 captured soldiers, including Azovstal, Mariupol, and Zmiinyi Island defenders — photos

Soldiers, sergeants, and officers who defended Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Zmiinyi Island, and other front-line areas have returned home.

Russia also returned National Guardsmen, including Azov guards, border guards, Territorial Defense fighters, and soldiers from the Navy and Armed Forces. Two Ukrainian civilians captured in Mariupol were also exchanged.

“We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone. Thank you to the team doing everything to bring our people back, and to all our partners, including the UAE, who are helping us,” President Zelenskyy said.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War described this as one of the largest exchanges since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The exchange resulted in the release of:

• 87 Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, including 17 Territorial Defense fighters
• 43 National Guardsmen
• 33 State Border Service members
• 24 Naval Forces personnel

Many of the returned Ukrainians had spent over two and a half years in Russian captivity and returned with chronic conditions, mine injuries, and serious wounds.

In total, 3,956 people have been freed from captivity, with 1,358 released in 2024.

On Oct. 18, Ukraine and Russia conducted their 58th prisoner exchange, bringing 95 Ukrainian defenders home. Among those freed were 34 members of the 12th Brigade of the Azov Naval Base, held captive for more than two and a half years. Human rights activist and military officer Maksym Butkevych was also released.

In return, Russia took back its citizens, most of whom had surrendered in Kursk Oblast.