On April 19, Ukraine welcomed back 277 defenders, of which 246 were part of a prisoner exchange, and an additional 31 were freed outside of the official exchange.

Source: President Volodymyr Zelensky, Coordination Headquarters for Prisoner Affairs.

Quote: "Today, we celebrate the return of 277 of our heroes from Russian captivity."

Among those freed are military personnel from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, and border guards, who defended Mariupol and other areas in Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Zelensky expressed gratitude to all involved in organizing the exchange, particularly highlighting the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Coordination Headquarters, 246 soldiers returned as part of the exchange, with another 31 individuals freed outside this framework.

The majority of those released are young individuals born after the year 2000. Among the returnees is a female servicemember who had been in captivity since May 2022.

Of the released, 268 are enlisted personnel and sergeants, along with 9 officers.

This exchange is the fourth in 2023 and the 63rd since the full-scale invasion began.

Only this year, 596 Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity through exchanges, and 53 defenders have been freed outside of exchanges.

Since March 2022, through negotiations and exchanges, the Coordination Headquarters has freed 4552 Ukrainian citizens. Additionally, 529 individuals have been released outside of exchanges.