On October 2, 2025, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. A total of 205 Ukrainians returned home — 185 military personnel and 20 civilians. This marks the 69th exchange since the beginning of the full-scale war.
Among those released are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Of the 185 military personnel, 183 are privates and sergeants, and two are officers. Most had been in captivity since 2022. They defended the country in various directions: Luhansk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv.
The released also include defenders of Mariupol — particularly fighters from the "Azov" regiment who were captured during the fierce battles for the city. National Guardsmen who were guarding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 2022 have also returned. The youngest of the released is 26 years old, the oldest is 59.
Some of the prisoners were exchanged under agreements made in Istanbul, while others were returned as part of the ongoing prisoner swap efforts. According to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the exchange process is continuous, and Ukraine is committed to bringing all its citizens home.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has managed to return over 7,000 people — both military and civilian. Each exchange is not just a number — it’s a moving story of life, struggle, and long-awaited hope.