While Russia’s attacks on Ukraine on February 24 continued, many soldiers from both countries were captured. It was reported that a new prisoner exchange was made between Russia and Ukraine. In the statement made by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, it was stated that the largest prisoner exchange took place since the start of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and that there were soldiers from the Azov Battalion among the prisoners. “144 Ukrainian defenders in captivity have been released,” the statement said. “This is the biggest swap since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.”
In the statement, it was stated that 95 of the 144 captured prisoners were from the Azovstal factory in Mariupol, and 43 of them were from the Azov Battalion. It was reported that 59 of those taken from Russia in the prisoner exchange were National Guard, 58 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel, 17 Border Guard personnel, 9 regional defense personnel and 1 police officer.
Youngest 19 years old
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine gave additional information about the captured prisoners and said, “The eldest of those released is 65 and the youngest is 19. 23 of them are officers and 69 of them are non-commissioned officers. Most of the released Ukrainians have sustained injuries from firearms, shrapnel, explosives, burns, fractures and cuts. All receive appropriate emergency medical attention and psychological support. The Prisoners of War Coordination Headquarters of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense continues to work for the return of all POWs.