230 defenders returned from Russian captivity, 48 of whom were considered missing – Coordination Center
The exchange of prisoners of war that took place on January 3 is the largest since the beginning of the war with Russia.
This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Censor.NET reports.
230 defenders are returning home. Among them are 130 representatives of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (including 14 from the TDF (Territorial Defense Forces) and 14 from the Navy)), 55 from the National Guard, 38 from the State Border Guard Service, 1 from the National Police, and six civilians who were illegally deprived of their liberty.
It is noted that among those returned were both those who had the official status of prisoner of war, confirmed through the International Committee of the Red Cross (182 people), and those Ukrainian servicemen who were considered missing and had the status of "search for a person" (48).
The majority of the released persons were men (225), five were women. There are 213 enlisted staff, eleven of whom are officers.
"After grueling months of captivity, a combat medic from the 36th Marine Brigade returned. While in captivity, she spoke Ukrainian as a matter of principle. The Russians imitated her transfer for exchange several times, but eventually returned her back to the place of detention.
Seven defenders of Zmiinyi Island (Snake Island - ed. note), a musician of a military orchestra, a servicewoman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who was imprisoned by the Russians while on maternity leave, National Guardsmen who were captured while performing their duties at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, a civilian teacher at the Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University, and the defenders of Mariupol will finally see their families and friends," the statement reads.
