The last defender of Zmiiny Island has returned home from captivity.

The border guard and defender of Zmiiny Island, Vitaliy Hirenko, returned home to Ukraine after spending nearly 3.5 years in captivity. During this time, he became a father to a son he has yet to meet. This was reported by activists of the NGO 'Defenders of Zmiiny.'

Vitaliy Hirenko is a resident of Izmail and the last defender of Zmiiny Island who was exchanged. His wife and three-year-old son Dmytro, whom he has not seen yet because his wife was pregnant at the time he was taken captive, were waiting for him at home.

The long-awaited exchange, lasting 3 years and 5 months for our last defender of Zmiiny, has taken place! The border guard of the island of Achille — Vitaliy Hirenko is home! The joy of all of us at the NGO is boundless! Free, unbreakable in spirit and body, Vitaliy is finally on native land!

On Wednesday, July 23, the next stage of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place, the ninth under the Istanbul agreements. Among those released were seriously ill and seriously wounded defenders who had been in captivity since 2022. Among the released were servicemen from various units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, and the National Police of Ukraine.

Vitaliy Hirenko returned home after nearly 3.5 years in captivity, where he not only defended Zmiiny Island but also became a father without seeing his son. The prisoner exchange continues, where not only military personnel but also civilians affected by the war in eastern Ukraine are being freed.