**Ukraine Brings Back Wounded Soldiers from Russian Captivity**
In a significant development, Ukraine has brought back another group of its defenders who were being held captive by Russia. The returnees, who include soldiers with severe injuries and serious illnesses, are part of the Istanbul agreements reached between Ukraine and Russia.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the released soldiers will receive necessary medical treatment and care. This is already the second stage of returning severely wounded and seriously ill soldiers. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has confirmed that the returnees include servicemen from various branches of Ukraine’s military, including the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service.
Among those released are defenders of Mariupol who had been in captivity for more than three years. All of the freed defenders are men, holding ranks in the enlisted and sergeant categories. Some of them were previously considered missing in action. The returnees have fought in various sectors, including Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk.
The released soldiers will undergo medical examinations, receive physical and psychological rehabilitation support, and be granted all the financial compensations due to them for the entire period of their captivity. This is a crucial step towards providing necessary care and compensation to those who have suffered at the hands of Russian forces.
**Background: The Istanbul Agreements**
The Istanbul agreements were reached on June 2 between Ukraine and Russia. As part of these agreements, the two countries agreed to exchange the bodies of fallen soldiers on a “6,000 for 6,000” basis. They also agreed on an “all-for-all” exchange involving severely wounded personnel and young servicemen aged 18 to 25.
Since then, several groups of Ukrainian servicemen have been returned from Russian captivity. On June 9, the 66th prisoner exchange began, with a group of released servicemen under the age of 25 returning to Ukraine. On June 10, Ukraine brought home a group of defenders who had suffered serious injuries and faced major health issues.
**A New Stage in Repatriation Efforts**
The return of these wounded soldiers marks a new stage in repatriation efforts between Ukraine and Russia. The exact number of released individuals will be announced after the exchange process is fully completed, due to security reasons.
This development highlights the ongoing efforts by both countries to address the humanitarian implications of the conflict. As Ukraine continues to fight for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, it’s essential that those who have suffered at the hands of Russian forces receive the necessary care and compensation.
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