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Artur Lypka, released soldier
“I want to tell my loved ones that I will be with them again very soon. The emotions are overwhelming, the journey was very difficult because it was already one of many attempts to return home. Something always went wrong. Throughout the journey back I feared that something would break, that something would go wrong and that we would be captured again.”
It is the largest exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine since the war began: 144 Ukrainian soldiers were released on Wednesday, including 95 fighters who had defended the Azov steel plant in Mariupol.
According to separatist leader Denis Pushilin, as many pro-Russian and Russian fighters were released from Ukrainian captivity.
Hundreds of Ukrainians continue to be held prisoner, but their exact whereabouts are unknown.
Henadiy Sabdiyev, released soldier
"I ask our authorities to make every effort to free all the men who remained there from captivity. With them trained for combat and able to do their job perfectly, we will win this war
."
Most of the released soldiers are seriously injured, suffered gunshot wounds, burns or broken bones, reports the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense via Telegram.
They would now be cared for medically and psychologically.
Tetiana Kharko, Union of Azovstal Defender Families
“We all have to work as hard as we can to make sure every hero comes home. I'm waiting for my brother, I really hope he'll come back soon, then I'll be happier than I've ever been in my life. Today I send my greetings to all our heroes who have come home and to all our loved ones who are incredibly happy today.«
