On behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak listened to the reports of representatives of the Coordinating Staff for the POWs Treatment regarding another successful operation to release people from Russian captivity, during which 116 servicemen returned.
"It's quite a successful and big exchange. I congratulate everyone on such an event. It became possible thanks to the joint work of absolutely all bodies involved in the activities of the Coordinating Staff. So we have a result: 116 defenders have returned home," Head of Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Head of the Coordinating Staff Kyrylo Budanov said.
According to Deputy Head of Defense Intelligence Dmytro Usov, 87 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were released, including two from the Navy, two from the Special Operation Forces, and eight from the territorial defense units. Also, 19 representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system returned home, including seven National Guard servicemen, six National Police representatives, five soldiers of the State Border Guard Service, and one representative of the State Emergency Service.
"We worked together with Denys Monastyrsky on this exchange of representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and we managed to return the employees he cared for," Usov said.
Yermak noted the great personal contribution of Denys Monastyrsky, who died in a helicopter crash in Brovary, to preparing the prisoner exchanges.
"It's a very big loss for all of us," he said.
Acting Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko added that a representative of the National Guard who earlier was considered missing is among those released.
"The activities of the Coordinating Staff deserve to be known to the citizens of Ukraine. So that they understand that we remember everyone, and until we establish the whereabouts of everyone and return them to their homeland, to their relatives, we will not stop in our work," Klymenko said.
Usov said that the state of health of the soldiers released from Russian captivity is unsatisfactory. Now, they are all in the hospital and receiving first aid. Treatment and rehabilitation await them ahead.
"As the President has repeatedly emphasized, people must receive first medical aid, all necessary examinations, and if necessary, get a diagnosis. The state can provide the necessary support and assistance. Of course, it is necessary to arrange the meeting of the soldiers with their relatives. And then, if necessary, decide on treatment abroad. So that each of our defenders feels that he fought for the state, gave his health, risked his life, and the state is grateful to him, it takes care of him and guides him through life. Because he is the person thanks to whom Ukraine exists," Yermak said.
The head of the President's Office also expressed regret over the inactivity of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which does not ensure the observance of human rights, in particular, of Ukrainians who are in captivity.
"That's why it's time to create a new organization with headquarters in Kyiv, which would really take care of people who are in captivity," he said.
Yermak said that the preparation of this exchange lasted more than a month. A large team worked on it, including the Coordinating Staff for the POWs Treatment, representatives of all departments, as well as the Office of the President of Ukraine under the direct control of the Head of State.
"The President of Ukraine knows the name of every released person. Yesterday, Mr. Budanov gave a report. And we talked about every person who was supposed to return from captivity today," the head of the President's Office said.
Those present said that work on the release of prisoners will continue until all Ukrainians return home.