Ukrainian civilians and soldiers released in exchange with Russia

WorldPolitics
15 Aug 2025 • 9:19 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Ukrainian civilians and soldiers held captive in Russia since 2014 have been released as part of a significant exchange, announced by Volodymyr Zelensky.
  • The swap, which took place on Thursday, involved 33 soldiers and 51 civilians.
  • Among those released was an individual who had been held for over 4,000 days and a primary school teacher captured by Russian-backed separatists in 2019.
  • Mr Zelensky stated that almost all of the newly freed prisoners require medical care and rehabilitation.
  • Watch the video in full above.

IN FULL