“We managed to free 215 people”, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak told TV. Among them are defense chiefs at the Azovstal Steel Plant in the city of Mariupol, a symbol of resistance to the Russian invasion.

Russia has recovered 55 prisoners, including former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, a close friend of Vladimir Putin who is accused of treason in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address. “In return, we gave 55 people who deserve neither regret nor compassion”the, the “Fought against Ukraine and those who betrayed Ukraine”he started.

As part of it “long-prepared operation”five military commanders, “superheroes”, including Azovstal’s defense chiefs, have been transferred to Turkey, Zelenskyy said. Negotiations for their exchange were “longest, hardest”he added.

These people will stay in Turkey “in total safety and in comfortable conditions” high“At the End of the War” but their families can meet there, under the terms of an agreement with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Ukrainian leader said.

188 in total “Heroes of Azovstal and Mariupol” of which 108 soldiers from the Azov regiment were exchanged, he said. “We will do everything to save everyone who is in Russian captivity”promised Mr. Zelensky, according to which among the exchanged prisoners are pregnant women.

Ten foreign prisoners of war – five British, two Americans, a Moroccan, a Swede and a Croat – have announced they will be transferred today from Russia to Saudi Arabia by Saudi diplomacy as part of an exchange between Moscow and Ukraine to Mr Zelensky. The last Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol, entrenched in the vast Azovstal Steel Works on the Azov Sea, surrendered to Russian forces between May 16 and 20 after three months of intense fighting.