The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky commented on the completion of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the format of "1000 for 1000 thousand", Censor.NET reported, quoted by FOKUS.
He thanked "all who are bringing the Ukrainian defenders home".
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Telegram:
"1000 of our people are home. Thank you to everyone who is bringing the Ukrainian defenders home. I am grateful to all who are making great efforts to free Ukrainians from Russian captivity: diplomats, allies, representatives of other countries. I thank every soldier of the Defense Forces for his contribution to the return of our citizens: every captured occupier is a chance for the return of our soldier," said Syrsky.
He noted that the Defense Forces are working daily to increase the exchange fund.
"Every one of our units that captures the occupiers brings the time for the liberation of Ukrainians from Russian captivity closer. We are working every day to increase the exchange fund. During the Kursk operation alone, 971 Russian servicemen were captured," the commander-in-chief commented.
Syrsky also added that Ukraine is doing everything possible and impossible to ensure that Ukrainian soldiers return home.
"We remember everyone - the defenders of Mariupol and all our soldiers who were captured during fierce battles. We are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure that our troops return home as soon as possible", added the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On May 25, the third stage of the "1000 for 1000" exchange took place: Ukraine returned 303 defenders from Russian captivity.
On May 24, another 307 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from captivity. This was the second stage of the "1000 for 1000" exchange. The Coordination Headquarters noted that 27 defenders of Mariupol returned to Ukraine in the second tranche of prisoners of war.
On May 23, 390 Ukrainians were released: 270 servicemen and 120 civilians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a Telegram post that the exchange of 303 for 303 prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia had been carried out, Ukrinform reported, quoted by BTA.
“303 Ukrainian defenders are home. The third phase of the exchange under the 1000 for 1000 formula, which was agreed in Turkey, has ended“, the Ukrainian head of state explained. He said that among the Ukrainian servicemen who were returned from Russia today were members of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Guard and the State Special Transport Service.
Zelensky expressed gratitude to the team that worked tirelessly to ensure the exchange and stressed that Ukraine will return home every Ukrainian citizen.
The agreements on a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange with Ukraine, reached in Istanbul, have been fully implemented, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin said yesterday, RIA Novosti reported, quoted by FOCUS.
He specified that within three days, May 23, 24 and 25, 880 Russian soldiers and 120 civilians were returned from captivity.
"We expect that the large-scale "The prisoner exchange, carried out at the initiative of Russia, will help create a favorable atmosphere for discussing the conditions for a peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian crisis," Fomin stressed.