Pre-Easter Exchange: 182 Ukrainians Return from Captivity

On April 11, 2026, on the eve of Eastern Christian Easter, Ukraine managed to return 172 servicemen and 7 civilians from Russian captivity.

Among those released are privates, sergeants, and officers, the majority of whom were taken prisoner as far back as 2022. The youngest of the freed is 22 years old, while the oldest has turned 63. Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets noted that those returned are in serious condition, suffering from injuries and severe psychological distress.

Those freed include members of the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service, the Naval Forces, the Ground Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces, the Air Assault Forces, the Military Law Enforcement Service, the Air Force, and the Unmanned Systems Forces. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War expressed its gratitude to the United States and the UAE:

“We extend our gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in facilitating the exchange and the return home of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel.”

12 prisoners of war from the 1st Corps of the NGU «Azov» were brought home: 11 servicemembers of the «Azov» Brigade and 1 servicemember of the «Kara-Dag Brigade. This was announced by Corps Commander Denys «Redis» Prokopenko:

“I thank everyone who regularly replenishes our exchange fund, the countries that provide platforms for negotiations and facilitate exchanges, as well as the President of Ukraine, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, the ‘Association of Families of Defenders of Azovstal,’ and all those involved in the exchange process. We continue to work at every level to bring each of our captive brothers in arms home.”