Chernikv Region, Ukraine (AP) — Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they have traded 175 prisoners each for one of their biggest exchanges since the full-scale Russian invasion began three years ago.
“We are reclaiming soldiers, sergeants, officers. Warriors who fought for the freedom of the military, navy, national guard, territorial defense forces and border patrols.”
The Ukrainian leader on Tuesday said it was an important step towards peace for all prisoners and captured civilians, and would help build trust between the two countries. He repeatedly called for “all” prisoner exchanges.
This comes as a continuing debate about a temporary ceasefire where the war could continue.
Shortly after the exchange took place near the northern borders of the two war countries, dozens of uneasy families rushed to a hospital in the Chernichv region of Ukraine, set to accommodate released prisoners.
Among them was Ariona Squibida, 28, but his fiancee Andri Orel had been campaigning for nearly three years to revive Andri Orel, who was captured in the brutal battle of Mariupol in April 2022, eventually falling into the Russian army.
Skuibida, a member of the Marine Strength Association, said that he was married shortly after returning from the battlefield, but instead fell into the hands of Russia.
“Capture is not a way to survive,” she said, adding that many soldiers will return from Russian prisoners who have signs of torture.
However, on Wednesday, Skuibida was ready to celebrate Orel's return with blue and yellow balloons and cakes. “His birthday was the day before,” she said.
Several buses were then drawn into the hospital grounds. Their faces brightened as frail, visibly exhausted soldiers poured out of the vehicle. Some smiled and showed their lost teeth.
“I couldn't believe I was at home until I saw our flag,” said Oleksandr Savov, 46. “Then I kissed it,” stood next to him by his daughter, Anastasia Savova, 25, who had not heard from her father for nearly three years. She faithfully wrote him a letter while he was an unanswered prisoner.
“All I want now is peace, a bowl of Borsch, a chance to lie in a clean bed,” Oleksandr Savov said. He believes he lost about 20 kilograms (about 44 pounds) during his first incarceration since May, and says that malnutrition and no medical care is “cold and damp.”
Savov, 46, showed his hands covered in a red rash to an Associated Press reporter.
When the family reunites, others were still missing. Some moved through the crowd, carrying pictures of missing relatives, and desperately asked the desperately released prisoners if they had ever seen them.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said early Wednesday it released 22 Ukrainian prisoners of war, who were seriously injured “as a gesture of goodwill.” Zelenskyy said they were returned by another negotiation process. Originally, Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised to release 23 prisoners when he spoke with US President Donald Trump about a potential partial ceasefire. They did not immediately comment on why the numbers were changed.
Zelensky promised that “Ukraine remembers each hero, and we will bring everyone home,” and said that the seriously injured soldiers and fighter jets that Russia indicted on charges of forgery are among the released people.
The prisoner's exchanges took place during the war, with Wednesday's exchange planned before a call with the US president.
Petro Yatsenko, press chairman of Ukraine's coordination headquarters for the treatment of Pows, stressed that prisoner exchanges require extensive preparation.
“These exchanges are not voluntary events. They require careful planning for months, not just days or weeks,” Yatsenko said, adding that the final exchange will be on February 5th.
More than 4,000 Ukrainian prisoners have been released since the start of the Russian invasion, including civilians and foreigners.
Released Ukrainian soldiers were captured while defending multiple regions, including Malyupol, Azovstal Steel Factory, Donetsk, Luhansk, Carson, Kharkiv, Mikolife, Zapolijah, Sami and Kursk.
Zelenskyy said in a Telegram statement that everyone who returns will receive immediate medical and psychological support. He also expressed his gratitude to prisoner swaps and international partners, particularly the Ukrainian team working on international partners in the United Arab Emirates, for promoting the exchange.
According to the United Nations, most Ukrainian prisoners suffer medical negligence, serious and systematic abuse, and even torture during their detention. There have also been isolated reports of abuse by Russian soldiers, primarily during capture or transport to detention sites.
