Defenders of Mariupol among 25 released: Zelensky and GUR revealed details of the prisoner exchange.

Ukraine has freed 25 military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity, including defenders of Mariupol and 'Azovstal'.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on January 15. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, among those released are representatives of the National Guard, Armed Forces of Ukraine, Navy, and State Border Guard Service. They hold the ranks of soldiers, sailors, and sergeants.

'Each of them will receive all necessary medical assistance,' Zelensky stated, emphasizing that the released individuals have serious injuries and illnesses. According to the GUR MO, among the released are defenders from the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk directions. A civilian who was illegally held by occupiers in Kyiv region was also released.

The youngest among the released is 24 years old, and the oldest is 60. Ukrainian citizens have serious injuries, including vision loss, amputations, gunshot wounds, and consequences of mine-explosive injuries. They suffered exacerbations of tuberculosis, oncological diseases, and gangrene, indicating inhumane conditions in captivity. The operation to free the prisoners took place with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates.

The GUR MO emphasizes that work is ongoing to free those severely wounded, seriously ill, and all prisoners of war.