Ukraine secured the release of 300 Ukrainian military personnel and 2 civilians from Russian captivity, representing the second stage of a prisoner exchange. The released defenders served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, and border service, including privates, sergeants, and officers who defended in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mariupol. Most had been in captivity for over a year, with some since 2022.

Another 300 Ukrainian defenders are returning home from Russian captivity. Two Ukrainian civilians were also returned today.

Among them are guys from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and our border service. Privates, sergeants, officers.

They defended Ukraine in various areas: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mariupol.

Most of them had been in captivity for over a year, some since 2022.

I am grateful to the United States for its mediation.

This is the second stage of the exchange.

In total, over the past two days, 500 Ukrainian military personnel and two civilians have been released.

The exchange was previously agreed upon during negotiations in Geneva.

Another 300 Ukrainian defenders and two civilians were brought back from Russian captivity on March 6, 2026 as part of the second stage of a prisoner exchange under Geneva agreements.