Ukraine has introduced again 1,358 individuals from Russian captivity in 2024

In 2024, extra Ukrainians have been free of Russian captivity than within the earlier 12 months, in keeping with knowledge printed by the Coordination Headquarters for the Remedy of Prisoners of Conflict (POWs).

Over the previous 12 months, Ukraine performed 11 prisoner exchanges and secured the return of 356 extra individuals than in 2023. For the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion, 3,956 individuals have been launched, together with 1,358 in 2024.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the numbers in his New Yr video handle printed late on Dec. 31. "And I’m giving not estimates however exact numbers as a result of each represents an individual, our particular person, a vital particular person," he mentioned. "And with every return – we convey life again to Ukraine."

On Dec. 30, Ukraine efficiently secured the discharge of 189 captives from Russian detention, together with army personnel and two civilians.

The coordination headquarters described it as one of many largest exchanges because the begin of the full-scale struggle. Amongst these freed have been defenders of Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chornobyl Nuclear Energy Plant, Snake Island, and different key frontlines.

The launched included 87 Armed Forces members, 43 Nationwide Guard members, 33 border guards, 24 sailors, and fighters from the Azov Regiment.

I survived a Russian torture camp. So I had to see Assad’s Sednaya prisonEditor’s Note: Stanislav Aseyev is a Ukrainian writer, journalist, veteran, and a survivor of the Izolyatsia prison in Russia-occupied Donetsk, infamous for its torture of prisoners. He was the first Ukrainian journalist to see to the Sednaya prison and death camp in Syria after the fall of Bashar a…The Kyiv IndependentStanislav Aseyev