The ninth stage of the POW exchange, agreed upon in Istanbul, has taken place (PHOTO)

"Today, the ninth stage of the exchange, agreed upon in Istanbul, has already taken place. Severely ill and seriously wounded defenders are returning home. We can already talk about the details – over 1,000 of our people have been returned across all stages of the latest Istanbul agreements. For a thousand families, it is the joy of hugging their loved ones again. Thanks to everyone who worked on this", - President Zelensky announced on Telegram on July 23.

According to him, the returned warriors defended Ukraine in various directions along the front. A significant number had been in captivity for over three years.

"Everyone will receive the necessary support and medical assistance. It is important that the exchanges continue and our people are coming home. Thanks to everyone who continues this most important work. Returning all our people is a priority for the state. And we will continue every effort to bring all our people back from captivity", - the President noted.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War clarified that the youngest defender released yeasterday is 27 years old, and the oldest is 66.