Another prisoner exchange: defenders of Mariupol and civilians returned home.

Ukraine freed a new group of defenders from Russian captivity on July 4, 2025. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on social media, celebrating the return of Ukrainian soldiers.

'Our people are home. Most of them had been in Russian captivity since 2022,' the head of state shared.

According to the president, among the released were soldiers who defended various regions of Ukraine: Donetsk, Mariupol, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Kherson.

Details of the operation

The Coordinating Headquarters for Captives reported on the details of the operation. The exchange took place under the 'Istanbul Agreements' with the participation of the head of the headquarters, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Among those released were servicemen from various units: the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including representatives of the Navy, Ground Forces, territorial defense, and airborne assault forces, as well as special operations forces. Fighters from the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service also returned.

Ukrainian defenders who had been held captive in Russia since 2022 have finally returned home. This is a significant victory for Ukraine, which continues the struggle for its independence and territorial integrity.