Ukraine secures return of 49 people in POW exchange with Russia  PHOTO

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has written that Ukraine welcomed back 49 soldiers from Russian captivity.

"Some 49 Ukrainians are back home. Among them are members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Border Guard Service, and our civilians," Caliber.Az reports, citing Zelenskyy’s message on Telegram.

Among those released is Leniye Umerova, who was taken hostage by Russian forces while she was in Ukraine to care for her ill father. The president also mentioned the release of additional defenders from Azovstal, including Viktor Ivchuk, a military medic and Hero of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has revealed that the health of the Ukrainian prisoners of war recently returned from captivity is poor, with many having lost dozens of kilograms. This exchange is particularly significant as it marks the first time in a long period that 23 women have been released from captivity. 

"This includes Ukrainian civilians who were detained and unlawfully imprisoned by Russian forces even before the full-scale invasion. The release also includes women who endured inhumane treatment, particularly due to forced participation in the so-called 'trials' of Mariupol defenders," the statement said. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, a total of 3,569 Ukrainians have returned home from captivity. 

On September 13, the 56th prisoner exchange took place. Ukraine has repeatedly expressed its willingness to conduct a prisoner exchange with Russia on an "all-for-all" basis. In May, President Zelenskyy stated that such an "all-for-all" exchange would be possible only under one specific condition.