Ukraine Brings Home 22 Heavily Wounded Defenders Outside the Exchange Process
20 March, 2025 HMMWV M1152 ambulance with Burtek B4731 Ambulance module of the Ukrainian military. Ukraine. Photo credits: 10th Mountain Assault Brigade
Outside the exchange process, 22 heavily wounded Ukrainian soldiers have been brought back to their homeland. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced this. As clarified by the Coordination Headquarters, those released include 21 military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one border guard.
It is reported that all those returned from captivity are facing serious health issues, with severe injuries and trauma. In Ukraine, they will receive essential medical care, undergo physical and psychological rehabilitation, and gradually reintegrate into society.
Ukrainian defenders returned from Russian captivity. March 19, 2025, Ukraine. Source: President of Ukraine
In addition, the released soldiers will receive one-time financial assistance and compensation for their service during their time in captivity.
Prisoner Exchange
On March 19, a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place under the 175-for-175 formula.
In total, Ukraine has brought back 197 defenders, including heavily wounded soldiers. This is one of the largest prisoner exchanges to date, involving soldiers, sergeants, and officers from various military branches, including the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the Border Guard Service.
Ukrainian defenders returned from Russian captivity. March 19, 2025, Ukraine. Source: President of Ukraine
The soldiers defended the city of Mariupol - 31 (including 18 defenders of Azovstal), Donetsk region - 74, Luhansk region - 39, Kharkiv region - 8, Kherson region - 5, and two from each of Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy regions, as well as those who participated in combat operations in the Kursk region.
Those rescued from Russian captivity this time include 166 privates and sergeants, as well as nine officers.
The United Arab Emirates assisted in the prisoner exchange.