Among the Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian captivity today as part of the third stage of a large-scale prisoner exchange are 33 defenders of Azovstal.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.
He noted that today marked the completion of the third stage of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange. A total of 303 Ukrainian service members — soldiers and NCOs from the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, State Border Guard Service, Territorial Defense, Navy, and National Guard — returned from captivity.
“Among them are 70 defenders of Mariupol, including 33 defenders of Azovstal,” Umerov said.
As previously reported, on May 23, 390 Ukrainian prisoners of war were returned under the “1,000 for 1,000” exchange agreement reached by Kyiv and Moscow during negotiations in Istanbul on May 16.
On May 24, another 307 Ukrainian service members were freed.
On May 25, Ukraine secured the return of 303 more service members as part of the third stage of the exchange.
Source: Umerov: 33 Azovstal defenders among those freed today
