Ukraine recovered 95 defenders from russian captivity (PHOTO)

Ukraine and russia conducted another prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of 95 Ukrainian soldiers. This was announced on Telegram by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Among the returned are soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the National Guard, and border guards. According to Zelensky, the United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator in the exchange.

As reported by Hromadske, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War specified that 49 AFU soldiers were freed, including a participant in the "air bridge" who volunteered to fly to Azovstal, and two Air Force soldiers.

Additionally, 21 National Guardsmen, 10 naval soldiers, seven Territorial Defense Forces soldiers, five border guards, two from the State Special Transport Service, and one defender from a volunteer territorial community formation were also returned.

The Coordination Headquarters also mentioned that among the freed are 23 people who defended Mariupol (13 of whom defended Azovstal). Since the start of the full-scale invasion, this exchange marks the 54th such event. In total, 3,405 people have been returned from russian captivity.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that his office's employees were present at the exchange site to ensure compliance with human rights according to international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

The freed individuals will soon be fed and examined by doctors. They will also be provided with clean clothes and assigned treatment and rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, according to russian media, russia's Ministry of Defense claimed that 95 of its soldiers were returned during the exchange.

It was also reported that russia holds over 400 female soldiers captive, and negotiations for their exchange are ongoing.