Twenty-four servicemen and one civilian have been returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity.

On January 15, Ukraine and Russia carried out another prisoner exchange. A total of 25 Ukrainians returned home, including 24 military personnel and one civilian who was abducted by Russians from the Kyiv region.

This was reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ombudsman for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets.

Among the released are defenders from Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as from Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. They suffer from severe injuries and illnesses.

“Thank you to the team that is searching for our people and organizing this important work. Thank you to the United Arab Emirates for their support in making today’s event possible,” the president wrote.

In addition to military personnel, a civilian who was captured by Russians in the Kyiv region and held illegally also returned to Ukraine, the Ombudsman reported. He added that the priority now is to provide the returned individuals with necessary medical assistance, perform surgeries, and facilitate rehabilitation.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War noted that today’s exchange is a result of Ukraine achieving a separate format for the return of severely ill and injured captives.

The military personnel who were freed include members of the National Guard, Armed Forces of Ukraine (specifically, Territorial Defense), Naval Forces, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Injured Ukrainian servicemen were also retrieved from the Kursk region. All repatriated military personnel are soldiers, sailors, and sergeants. The youngest among them is 24 years old, while the oldest is 60.

The released injured individuals have, in particular, lost their eyesight, suffered amputations, sustained complex gunshot wounds, and experienced the consequences of mine-explosive injuries.

“Among the illnesses are tuberculosis, oncology, and gangrene, which speaks volumes about the conditions our people have to endure,” the Coordination Headquarters stated.

They added that, according to the Geneva Convention, it is primarily the severely ill and seriously injured who should be returned first.

According to data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exchange occurred on a “25 for 25” basis, so 25 of the occupiers’ captives were also handed over to Russia. The Russian military personnel are currently located in Belarus.

For reference, the previous exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place on December 30, 2024. At that time, 189 captives returned, including both military and civilians.

Among those released were 87 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (17 of whom were from Territorial Defense), 43 National Guardsmen, 33 border guards, and 24 Navy fighters. Additionally, two civilians were freed from Russian captivity, although their identities have not been disclosed.