A Ukrainian soldier released from Russian captivity / Photo by the Office of the President
Junior Sergeant Zakhar, captured by Russian occupiers in May 2022 after evacuating from Azovstal in Mariupol, has been successfully rescued from enemy captivity.
This was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
Zakhar, along with his wife Tatiana, fell into the hands of Russian terrorists after being evacuated from Azovstal in May 2022. Within six months, Tatiana was exchanged and returned to Ukraine, settling with her two daughters in Dnipro. Tragically, on January 14th, a missile fired by Russians struck their apartment block. Tatiana, along with her younger daughter and Zakhar’s mother, perished under the rubble.
«Ruslana, eldest 19-year-old daughter, is awaiting her father’s return today,» stated the CPTF.
Additionally, medics who exhibited exceptional bravery while saving colleagues and civilians at Mariupol Iron and Steel Works and Azovstal in challenging conditions are returning home after the exchange. A senior lieutenant, defending Ukraine since 2014 and decorated for courage, has also returned.
Two brothers, soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Anatoliy and Pavlo, have been released from captivity. Another defender from Zmeinyi Island has been successfully rescued, as confirmed by the Coordination Centre.
For context, since the onset of the full-scale invasion, 3,035 Ukrainian defenders have been rescued from Russian captivity.
The second significant prisoner exchange occurred on January 31st after a prolonged hiatus, marking the 50th exchange in total. In the largest exchange during the full-scale invasion on January 3rd, 230 Ukrainians (225 men and 5 women) were released from captivity, with the occupiers receiving 248 of their people.