95 Ukrainian soldiers freed from Russian captivity, including 20 sentenced to life

Ninety-five Ukrainian soldiers have returned home following their release from Russian captivity, 20 of whom had been sentenced to life imprisonment for defending their homeland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared the news on Facebook, expressing gratitude to the team responsible for the prisoners’ release.

“Soldiers who defended Mariupol, Azovstal, and regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Kherson are finally back home,” Zelensky wrote.

He extended thanks to the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War for their continued efforts in negotiating the release of Ukrainian defenders.

The Coordinating Headquarters confirmed that many of those freed were suffering from severe illnesses, injuries, and weight loss due to harsh conditions, including torture and malnutrition.

This marks the 58th medical exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, with 3,767 individuals freed to date.