Russia transferred a deserter to Ukraine as part of the exchange who voluntarily surrendered to the militants.

Ukrainian soldier freed from captivity

Among 1000 Ukrainian soldiers released from captivity was Anatoliy Taranenko, a fighter who voluntarily surrendered to the militants in 2021 after burning his infantry fighting vehicle. This was reported by journalist Andrii Tsapliienko.

In captivity, Taranenko expressed a desire to obtain Russian citizenship to fight on the enemy's side. This was confirmed by people who were with him in captivity and well-known statements of the serviceman about the torture of his compatriots.

The prisoner exchange has concluded

The Ukrainian serviceman became the hero of numerous media publications covering the situation regarding Russia's aggression. On May 25, the third stage of the prisoner exchange under the '1000 for 1000' formula was completed, during which 303 Ukrainian defenders returned home. Among them are 70 defenders of Mariupol, including 33 heroic defenders from the 'Azovstal' unit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the third stage of the prisoner exchange under the '1000 for 1000' formula was successfully completed, during which 303 Ukrainian soldiers were freed from Russian captivity.