Ukraine secures return of 49 servicemembers, civilians from Russian captivity

Ukraine has returned 49 servicemembers and civilians from Russian captivity, including 23 women, according to reports from Ukrainian media. The information is based on the coordination headquarters for the treatment of prisoners of war in Ukraine and a social media post by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy expressed “relief and gratitude” for the release, stating, “another return of our people that we always look forward to and work towards. Among them are fighters from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, and our civilians.” He also highlighted the release of Lenye Umerova, a young woman captured by Russian forces while visiting her sick father. Several defenders of the Azovstal steel plant, a key stronghold during the siege of Mariupol, were also among those released.

The coordination headquarters reported that the group included 23 soldiers and sergeants, 19 officers, and 7 civilians. Of the soldiers released, 15 were defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal.