President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the successful completion of yet another phase of the prisoner exchange, with most of those released having been held since 2022.

The head of state reported this via Telegram.

«We continue the exchanges; today we are bringing back soldiers from the Armed Forces and the National Guard. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. We are doing everything we can to locate each one and verify the information for every name. We must bring everyone home,» Zelensky stated.

He also expressed gratitude to everyone assisting Ukraine in these exchanges.

The Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War noted that representatives from the Navy, Ground Forces, Airborne Forces, and National Guard were part of the group returning to Ukraine.

It is reported that the vast majority of the defenders released today had been held captive for over three years, with many being captured during the defense of Mariupol.

"Among those returned are officers. The oldest of the released is 62 years old, and the youngest is 24,” wrote Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram.

As Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov added, the youngest individual released today was captured at the age of 21 during the defense of Mariupol.

«Today, on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we have freed another group of Ukrainian defenders. According to the agreements reached in Istanbul, fighters aged up to 25 years, as well as those seriously ill and severely wounded, are returning,» he noted.

Budanov also stated: «We continue our work. We expect good news very soon. We are fighting for the return of each and every person.»

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko informed that among those released in this latest exchange were individuals previously considered missing.

"The stories of some of them are truly miraculous. They were presumed missing, but despite the uncertainty, the state continued the search. And today, they are with us,” Klymenko emphasized.

The Coordinating Headquarters also reported that today’s exchange specifically aimed at bringing home young warriors. The youngest defender is 24 years old and was captured in April 2022 at the age of 21 during the defense of Mariupol.

They also managed to free National Guard troops who were guarding the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant.

The oldest soldier returned to the homeland is 62 years old.

Among those released today are officers.

In total, Ukrainians who defended the country in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Kherson, Kyiv, and Sumy directions are returning home.

The freed defenders will undergo necessary medical examinations, receive assistance for physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all entitled payments for the duration of their captivity, the Coordinating Headquarters emphasized.