Zelenskyy announces the number of Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that our country had managed to return almost four thousand of its citizens from Russian captivity. At the same time, he reminded that after captivity, the vast majority of them need long-term treatment.

Mr. Zelenskyy said this on Monday, October 21.

Return of Ukrainian prisoners of war

"Torture, humiliation, and hunger are what our Ukrainian people endure in Russian prisons and camps," President Zelenskyy stated.

He emphasized that Ukraine has managed to bring home 3.767 Ukrainians who were in Russian captivity. He added that almost all of them required long-term treatment and rehabilitation.

"Russia illegally holds thousands of our people and continues the forced relocation of children," Zelenskyy reminded.

The president stressed that Ukraine will continue to work on bringing all its compatriots home. He also mentioned his hopes for support from international partners, including the Vatican.

The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War conducted the 58th prisoner exchange. Another 95 Ukrainian defenders were successfully returned home.

Previously, journalists from the investigative project Nasha Sprava looked into why the fighters of the Azov brigade are not being exchanged. This concerns those soldiers who defended Mariupol and have been in captivity for over 800 days.

We also reported that Russia is compelled to conduct prisoner exchanges with Ukraine more frequently. The reason for this is the capture of a significant number of Russian prisoners in the Kursk region.