19 Mar, 2025 - Artem Derkachov

Ukraine brings home 197 defenders from Russian captivity – photos

Ukraine has successfully returned 175 defenders from Russian captivity, along with 22 more heroes who are coming home through efforts beyond formal exchange processes. Among them are severely wounded soldiers and those imprisoned on fabricated charges. All will receive full medical and psychological care.

This is one of the largest prisoner exchanges yet, returning servicemen from Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defense, and Border Guard Service. These defenders fought in Mariupol, at Azovstal, and across Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and even Kursk.

Український військовий стримує емоції після обміну з полону — A man exchanged from captivity holds back his emotions during a video call.

Ukraine brings home 197 defenders from Russian captivity – photos — A man exchanged from captivity holds back his emotions during a video call.

Емоції українських військових після обміну з полону — Emotions after the prisoner exchange.

Український військовий дзвонить після обміну додому — After the exchange, the soldier can finally call his family and friends.

Дружина Олена зустрічає з полону свого чоловіка Андрія, у якого вчора було день народження — Olena meets her husband Andriy, whose birthday was yesterday, from captivity. Andriy is a marine with the 501st Brigade. He was captured after the defense of Mariupol in 2022.

Військовий 24 ОБМп після обміну з полону — A Ukrainian soldier shows the flag of the 24th Brigade “Glory is won only in battle” to everyone.

Обміняні з полону українські військові перед входом до лікарні — Now the guys will have to undergo at least two weeks of rehabilitation in a hospital.

Український військовий після обміну з полону з прапором морської піхоти на плечах — A Ukrainian soldier after being exchanged from captivity with a marine flag on his shoulders.

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