Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of POW

FRANCE 24 English

Visit our website: http://www.france24.com  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en

Transcript

00:00On this bus, filled with recently freed Ukrainians, the atmosphere is one of celebration.

00:10Just a few hours earlier, they were still Russian prisoners.

00:13Some had been so since the start of the war.

00:16When they finally arrived home, they were greeted as heroes by their loved ones.

00:21I'm euphoric, it hasn't sunk in that I'm free, although I've waited every minute, and my

00:29family have waited.

00:30Honestly, I thought I would never be free.

00:33It's like a new start.

00:37My son is five years old now.

00:38The last time I saw him, he was two years old.

00:41That's why my son probably didn't recognize me.

00:44I used to have a beard and hair.

00:46He was two years old.

00:47I've lost 20 kilos.

00:50All in all, 189 Ukrainians were freed, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

00:58He was quick to thank the United Arab Emirates for the role they played in the exchange,

01:02the country having served as a mediator.

01:06On the Russian side, the defence ministry said that there were 150 soldiers included

01:10as part of the swap.

01:13The prisoners were released on Belarusian soil before being repatriated to Russia.

01:19I thank you for your service, for your patience, for enduring all the difficulties.

01:24We are very happy that our Ministry of Defence worked hard to organize your return.

01:28Our president was very worried about you, and you are almost home.

01:32This is the 59th prisoner exchange since the Russian invasion back in February 2022,

01:38with nearly 4,000 Ukrainians released since the outbreak of the war.

Category

Transcript

Recommended