11 'Azov' soldiers returned from Russian captivity: details from the brigade commander.

Returned from captivity: 11 servicemen of the 'Azov' brigade

Today, December 30, 11 servicemen of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade 'Azov' returned from Russian captivity. This was reported by the commander of the brigade, Denis Prokopenko.

According to the military, the released soldiers underwent extremely difficult trials that lasted almost three years.

'86 days of defending Mariupol, intense battles at the limits of human capabilities, captivity, prisons, interrogations, torture. They did not surrender and emerged from this hell as victors. I congratulate the return of everyone who can finally see and embrace their loved ones today, who will spend the winter holidays with their families, not under the watch of the guards. Thank you for your courage and spirit.'

He also thanked the 'Azov' fighters who captured 68 occupiers in the Toretsk direction and all defense forces units that replenish the exchange fund on all sections of the front. 'You are making a colossal contribution to the return of our prisoners of war home, and I am grateful for your work,' he noted.

It is worth mentioning that Ukraine has returned 189 Ukrainians from Russian captivity. According to the head of Ukraine, it was possible to return military defenders from 'Azovstal' and Mariupol, Chornobyl, Snake Island, from various fronts. Among them are soldiers, sergeants, officers. These are National Guard troops, including 'Azov' members, border guards, territorial defense members, and servicemen of the Navy and Armed Forces. Also, two civilians who were captured in Mariupol.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine conducts exchanges of Russian military personnel for Ukrainian military personnel, and there are also procedures and mechanisms for the return of civilians, but the return of Ukrainian children is currently a particularly complicated matter. They cannot be exchanged, as Ukraine does not abduct Russian children.

Earlier, the Human Rights Commissioner in the Russian Federation, Tatyana Moskalkova, published a named list of 630 Ukrainian prisoners of war who, according to her, have been in Russian captivity for over a year. Moskalkova claims that Ukraine allegedly 'delays' the exchange process for prisoners.

By the way, Russia and Ukraine exchanged parcels and letters for prisoners of war. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that it was possible to deliver 1500 packages with warm clothing and other necessary items for Ukrainian prisoners.