Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Friday the return to Ukraine of 49 prisoners of war held by Russia, including former fighters from Azovstal, the steelworks besieged by the Russian army in Mariupol (southeast) in spring 2022.
“49 Ukrainians have returned home,” the Ukrainian leader said on Telegram, accompanying his message with photos of the soldiers, including women, wrapped in Ukrainian blue and yellow flags. He did not immediately specify whether this release was the result of an exchange with Russia.
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