Ukraine brought back heavily wounded soldiers from captivity: details of the exchange.

Ukraine and Russia have continued the exchange of prisoners, which was agreed upon during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul. Another group of Ukrainian soldiers - heavily wounded and sick - has returned home. Among the released are soldiers, sergeants, and officers of the Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Assault Forces, Unmanned Systems, Border Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service. All the military have serious injuries and severe illnesses: amputated limbs, vision problems, abscesses, infections, traumas, shrapnel injuries, chronic diseases, as well as hepatitis and tuberculosis.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Ghegset, reported that the administration of President Donald Trump plans to cut the budget for security assistance to Ukraine. In particular, in response to a question from Congressman Joseph Morrell from the Democratic Party about funding security assistance to Ukraine, Ghegset replied that 'the budget for it will be reduced.' Ghegset also stated that 'the victory' of Ukraine in the war has not yet been clearly defined, 'nor has the path to it.'

The American side does not currently seem to be a strong mediator in the issue of peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, believes the Ukrainian leader. He noted that Ukraine currently needs strong mediators so that the Russians cannot refuse the agreements reached in the negotiations. According to the president, 'it would be good if the mediating countries did not focus on what they could lose from sanctions - what economic inconveniences they might face, or what would happen to cooperation in space and satellite communication - but focused on what is being negotiated: the war and the fact that people are dying.'

In the first stage, heavily wounded and sick soldiers were returned from captivity. The exchange was made possible by the second round of negotiations in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia. The release returned individuals from various military units with serious injuries and illnesses. Regarding international support, the U.S. Secretary of Defense announced a possible reduction in security assistance to Ukraine, although the successful conclusion of the war remains uncertain. At the same time, the President of Ukraine personally expressed his position regarding U.S. mediation, emphasizing the need for strong mediators in the peaceful resolution of the conflict.