A new prisoner exchange took place: Snake Island defender Vitalii Hyrenko returned to Ukraine, negotiations continue for another 1,200 captives
On July 23, the ninth stage of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place, following agreements reached in Istanbul. As part of this exchange, Ukrainian defenders — including seriously ill and severely wounded soldiers — returned home.
A symbol of this exchange was the return of the last defender of Snake Island — Vitalii Hyrenko. He spent 3 years and 5 months in Russian captivity. Vitalii, a border guard from Izmail, was one of the first to stand in defense at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. All this time, his wife and two sons were waiting for him.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian side continues negotiations for the next stages of the exchange. Plans are underway to bring back more than 1,200 prisoners of war.
These exchanges remain a crucial part of Ukraine's humanitarian efforts on the international stage, particularly with the support of mediators in Istanbul.
