As part of another exchange of prisoners of war on New Year’s Eve, another 140 Ukrainians were released, the head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, said.
“On New Year’s Eve, we not only repelled the rocket attacks, but we got our people back. This is another big exchange that we managed to do – 140 people are returning home,” Yermak said on Telegram.
Among those released were 82 soldiers of the Armed Forces, 15 representatives of the territorial defense, 22 employees of the National Guard, 11 from the Navy and 10 from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Among those released are wounded fighters, as well as defenders of Mariupol, Zmiiny Island, territorial defense volunteers from Slavutych and fathers and sons who were held captive together, as well as Ukrainian soldiers from the Bakhmut region.
A total of 132 men and 8 women, 22 officers and 118 sergeants and soldiers.
“We will return them all. Otherwise, it will not happen”, emphasized Yermak.
On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that 82 Russian soldiers have also been released.
As previously reported, 50 defenders were returned to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia on December 1.