Today, July 4, the next stage of the prisoner exchange took place in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. A group of defenders from the “wounded and seriously ill” and “under 25” categories were returned from Russian captivity.
This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including representatives of the Navy, Land Forces, Airborne Forces, Special Operations Forces, as well as the National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service and State Special Transport Service, have returned home.
The youngest released defender was only 20 years old. The oldest is 59 years old. In addition to soldiers and sergeants, officers were also released.
Also among those released today are the defenders of Mariupol, who had been held in captivity since 2022. The vast majority of those released had been in captivity for more than three years.
“Ukrainians who defended the country in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Kherson sectors are returning home. Today, we managed to release illegally convicted defenders and civilian Ukrainians deprived of their personal freedom from Russian captivity,” the statement said.
Those released from captivity will undergo the necessary medical examination, receive assistance in physical and psychological rehabilitation, as well as all due payments for the entire time in captivity.
“The exchange process in accordance with the Istanbul agreements continues. The exact number of people released will be announced after all stages of the exchange are completed,” the Coordination Center said.







