Zelenskyy announced how many people have been released from Russian captivity since the start of the war

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 5,857 Ukrainians have been returned home. Another 555 individuals were released without exchange procedures.

Zelenskyy wrote about this on Telegram.

"Today I held a meeting with almost all members of our team who are involved in the release of captives and providing them with assistance. Present were representatives of the headquarters, employees of the services involved in exchanges, the Office team, and our people who were freed from Russian captivity," Zelenskyy noted.

Among those present at the meeting were Ukrainian defenders from various frontlines, including defenders of Mariupol, servicemen from the Azov regiment, paramedic Taira, and civilian Lenia Umerova, who was captured by the Russians in occupied Crimea.

The President expressed gratitude to everyone involved in the exchange process and emphasized that the issue of freeing captives remains a constant priority for the country.

"We do not stop for even a single day. Since the start of the full-scale war, we have succeeded in returning 5,857 people alive from captivity. Without exchanges - another 555 individuals. As part of the agreements in Istanbul, we brought back over a thousand of our warriors," Zelenskyy stated.

He also mentioned the tragic terrorist attack in Olenivka, which resulted in the deaths of many Ukrainian prisoners of war, and stressed the importance of continuing exchanges.

"It is important to continue exchanges, check the situation for each individual. Every person matters," the head of state emphasized.

Zelenskyy also expressed gratitude to Ukrainian servicemen who are enhancing the exchange fund, allowing more captives to return home.