01:54'I will see my family soon' - Nine released Russian servicemen return home
Nine Russian prisoners of war (POW) returned home as a result of an exchange with the Ukrainian side, as reported by the Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday.
"As a result of the negotiations, nine Russian servicemen were repatriated from Kiev-controlled area on 26 November," the message reads.
Footage released by the Russian MoD features servicemen entering a medical facility and being examined by a doctor.
"After the initial examination of the patients, it can be said that their general condition is good and their vital functions are not impaired. All are alive and well, but require further examination and rehabilitation under hospital conditions," the doctor said.
Movsar, one of the POWs, shared his feelings after returning from captivity.
"I feel relieved because I am already standing on my native land," the man said.
Another respondent noted that he would now be able to meet his family.
"[There's a feeling] on the inside that everything is fine, I will soon see my family, my children," he said.
On Friday, the Acting Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushylin said on his Telegram channel that prisoners were exchanged between Moscow and Kiev on a 'nine-for-nine' formula.
"Among the released Russian fighters there is one from the Donetsk People's Republic," Pushilin added.
On Saturday, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak confirmed the return of nine servicemen and three civilians.
"Another exchange of prisoners. We managed to free 12 of our people. Among them - four soldiers of the Navy, two national guardsmen, border guards, as well as three civilians - a wife and a husband, and a man who was considered missing. Among the military, there are two officers, as well as seven privates and sergeants", Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements.
Russian troops were sent in, allegedly to defend citizens from attacks by Kiev, as well as to 'demilitarise' and 'denazify' the region. Moscow also urged Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and guarantee that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the action as an invasion, denying allegations of tolerating Nazi organisations. President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
01:54Mandatory courtesy: Russian Defence Ministry
Nine Russian prisoners of war (POW) returned home as a result of an exchange with the Ukrainian side, as reported by the Russian Defence Ministry on Saturday.
"As a result of the negotiations, nine Russian servicemen were repatriated from Kiev-controlled area on 26 November," the message reads.
Footage released by the Russian MoD features servicemen entering a medical facility and being examined by a doctor.
"After the initial examination of the patients, it can be said that their general condition is good and their vital functions are not impaired. All are alive and well, but require further examination and rehabilitation under hospital conditions," the doctor said.
Movsar, one of the POWs, shared his feelings after returning from captivity.
"I feel relieved because I am already standing on my native land," the man said.
Another respondent noted that he would now be able to meet his family.
"[There's a feeling] on the inside that everything is fine, I will soon see my family, my children," he said.
On Friday, the Acting Head of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushylin said on his Telegram channel that prisoners were exchanged between Moscow and Kiev on a 'nine-for-nine' formula.
"Among the released Russian fighters there is one from the Donetsk People's Republic," Pushilin added.
On Saturday, the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak confirmed the return of nine servicemen and three civilians.
"Another exchange of prisoners. We managed to free 12 of our people. Among them - four soldiers of the Navy, two national guardsmen, border guards, as well as three civilians - a wife and a husband, and a man who was considered missing. Among the military, there are two officers, as well as seven privates and sergeants", Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel.
Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine in late February after recognising the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR), claiming that Kiev had failed to guarantee their special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements.
Russian troops were sent in, allegedly to defend citizens from attacks by Kiev, as well as to 'demilitarise' and 'denazify' the region. Moscow also urged Ukraine to declare itself officially neutral and guarantee that it would never join NATO.
Kiev denounced the action as an invasion, denying allegations of tolerating Nazi organisations. President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law, announcing a general mobilisation, while the EU and US imposed several rounds of sanctions on Moscow.