Ukrainian forces returned 215 people, including 124 officers, who were being held by Russia. This includes 108 soldiers in the Azov regiment, 188 from Azovstal and Mariupol and eight wounded during the attack on Olenivka. In total, Ukrainian soldiers of the National Guard, navy, army, border guard, national police and security service employees were released. We returned 215 people from Russian captivity: 188 defenders of #Azovstal and Mariupol. 108 Azov warriors, national guards, marines, border guards, policemen, territorial defense, employees of the Security Service. They are safe now. We remember and try to save everyone. 1/3 — Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2022 “This is the strongest result in the release of prisoners during the entire period of the full-scale invasion,” the head of the President’s office Andriy Yermak said in a statement. In addition, five more civilians were released in exchange for 55 Russian prisoners. Zelensky said that these Russian prisoners “deserve neither pity, nor sympathy, nor words at all.” Most of those released are in Ukraine, with the exception of five Azov commanders who are under the personal protection of Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan. According to our agreements with @RTERdogan, the five freed Azov commanders will be in comfortable conditions in Turkey until the end of the war. They will be able to see their families. I sincerely thank President Erdogan for his leadership role in liberating our people. 2/3 — Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2022 In a video call with the freed fighters, Zelensky thanked them for their service in Ukraine “Congratulations, our men, our heroes, on your return,” he said. “We are extremely proud of what you have done for our country.” Ukraine also released ten foreign prisoners held by Russia during this prisoner exchange, including two American veterans who were captured while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. The other foreigners were from Great Britain, Morocco, Sweden and Croatia, Zelensky said. 🇺🇦 Freed 10 foreign citizens from Russian captivity as a token of gratitude for their assistance to our state. 5 citizens of 🇬🇧, 2 citizens of 🇺🇸, citizens of 🇲🇦, 🇸🇪, 🇭🇷. They will return home with the mediation of Saudi Arabia. I’m really grateful to everyone who contributed to this! 3/3 — Volodymyr Zelensky (@ZelenskyyUa) September 22, 2022 “This is a huge success, and I’m grateful to everyone who was involved in this operation – everyone who made this titanic work possible,” Jermak said. “I sincerely congratulate our heroes on their return to their homeland.” He added that Ukraine will provide them with all necessary medical, social and other forms of assistance. Zelensky called this exchange “a great victory”, as many prisoners were sentenced to death before being rescued. “I think this is really a big win for our state, for our whole society,” he said. “And most importantly – for the families of our defenders, who will be able to see their loved ones safely.” He added that Ukraine “will do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity.” “We value every life,” Zelensky said. “This is what separates us from the enemy.”
