Returning from the darkness: Ukrainian soldiers under 25 released
9 June 15:51
A new stage of the exchange of prisoners of war has started between Ukraine and Russia. This time, it is in the “all for all” format, and it has several stages. The first to return home were Ukrainian defenders under the age of 25.
The start of the exchange was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to him, this is only the beginning of a broader process that will include not only young soldiers, but also the seriously wounded, seriously ill and other categories of prisoners.
“The exchange process is very complicated. It includes many sensitive issues, both political and humanitarian. Negotiations continue virtually every day. We are doing everything to implement the agreements reached during the meeting in Istanbul,” the President noted.
According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the released soldiers represent different branches of the military:
- Navy,
- Land Forces,
- Territorial Defense Forces,
- Air Force,
- Airborne Assault Forces,
- State Border Guard Service,
- National Guard,
- State Special Transport Service.
All of the released soldiers are privates and sergeants.
Some of them spent more than three years in Russian captivity.
The process continues: who will be next
As part of the next stages, Ukraine expects to return other soldiers under the age of 25, as well as those with serious injuries or illnesses. Part of the exchange will be devoted to the repatriation of the bodies of fallen defenders – another extremely sensitive and painful part of the negotiations.
The number of those released at this stage is not officially disclosed for security reasons and in view of the ongoing negotiations. Full details should be made public after all stages of the exchange are completed.
Context: new momentum in a complex process
The exchange of prisoners of war is one of the most difficult areas of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The “all for all” format was agreed upon long ago, but its implementation was blocked due to Russia’s unwillingness to comply with humanitarian law.
The meeting in Istanbul, where an agreement on humanitarian issues was reached, was a turning point. It agreed on new stages of returns, which Ukraine is implementing gradually, ensuring security and control over the process.
