Ukraine Returns 25 Marines from Russian Captivity: A Major Exchange

Ukraine has returned home 25 marines who were held in Russian captivity. Among them are servicemen from Mykolaiv region.

This was reported by the press service of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilynsky.

Among the released soldiers are 18 marines from the 36th separate brigade, two soldiers from the 1st separate battalion and five from the 501st battalion. Most of them are defenders of Mariupol who held the city to the last.

The Ukrainian soldiers will undergo treatment and rehabilitation after their capture. The command and comrades-in-arms welcomed the defenders back to their homeland, expressing gratitude to all those who made efforts to bring them back. Ukraine does not stop fighting for its people.

We remember everyone. We will return everyone. We will take revenge!" the marines emphasized.

Last October, Ukraine returned 95 servicemen from Russian captivity, including many who had been illegally convicted in Russia. According to headquarters statistics, this is the 58th exchange of war prisoners since the beginning of the invasion. This exchange is special because Ukrainians who were convicted by the courts of the aggressor country are returning home. In particular, 28 of them received long-term sentences and 20 were sentenced to life imprisonment for defending their homeland.

After the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners died in Russian prisons. Through regular exchanges, Ukraine has managed to return about 3,600 war prisoners and deported citizens. However, thousands of Ukrainians still remain in captivity.

Recently, Mykolaiv hosted a rally dedicated to war prisoners and missing defenders of Ukraine. Under the slogan "Don't be silent! Captivity kills!" relatives and concerned citizens held posters, flags of military brigades and photos of their loved ones, urging them not to forget about those who are still in captivity.

Анна Бальчінос