On 19 August, Ukraine repatriated 103 servicemen from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. The soldiers, who are members of the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard, have returned home. Among those released are seriously wounded and seriously ill defenders, who will receive treatment and rehabilitation following a medical examination.
Briefly about the main points
- 103 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home.
- The group includes soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, border guards and members of the National Guard.
- Those who were released had been defending Mariupol and fighting on seven fronts.
- Soldiers and sergeants account for 99% of those returned.
- Those returning will be provided with medical, psychological and social support.
Among those released are defenders of Mariupol and soldiers from seven sectors of the front
The group includes defenders of Mariupol, as well as servicemen who fought in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Dnipro and Sumy sectors. They represent the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard.
The majority of the group are soldiers and sergeants
According to the Verkhovna Rada’s Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets, 99% of those released are soldiers and sergeants. The ages of the returning servicemen range from 26 to 59.
Two defenders celebrated their birthdays whilst in Ukraine: one turned 34 and the other 45.
Following their captivity, the servicemen will undergo treatment and rehabilitation
Among those released are servicemen with serious injuries and serious illnesses. All those released will undergo the necessary medical examinations, and those who need it will receive treatment, as well as physical and psychological rehabilitation.
Upon their return, provisions have also been made for the reissuing of documents and the processing of state benefits and financial assistance. The Ministry of Defence has reported that for those released from captivity Medical, psychological and reintegration support is provided; where necessary, this includes inpatient, outpatient and rehabilitation treatment.
Ukraine is continuing its efforts to secure the release of prisoners of war
Zelenskyy stated that efforts to secure the return of Ukrainians held captive in Russia are continuing. The Ukrainian side has declared its intention to secure the return of servicemen and civilians who remain in captivity.
Repatriations require a process of negotiation and coordination involving state bodies. According to the President, as of 26 June, since the start of the full-scale war Ukraine has repatriated more than 9,500 military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity.
