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Report
Russia and Ukraine exchange hundreds of POW
FRANCE 24 English
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12/31/2024
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Transcript
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00:00
On this bus, filled with recently freed Ukrainians, the atmosphere is one of celebration.
00:10
Just a few hours earlier, they were still Russian prisoners.
00:13
Some had been so since the start of the war.
00:16
When they finally arrived home, they were greeted as heroes by their loved ones.
00:21
I'm euphoric, it hasn't sunk in that I'm free, although I've waited every minute, and my
00:29
family have waited.
00:30
Honestly, I thought I would never be free.
00:33
It's like a new start.
00:37
My son is five years old now.
00:38
The last time I saw him, he was two years old.
00:41
That's why my son probably didn't recognize me.
00:44
I used to have a beard and hair.
00:46
He was two years old.
00:47
I've lost 20 kilos.
00:50
All in all, 189 Ukrainians were freed, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
00:58
He was quick to thank the United Arab Emirates for the role they played in the exchange,
01:02
the country having served as a mediator.
01:06
On the Russian side, the defence ministry said that there were 150 soldiers included
01:10
as part of the swap.
01:13
The prisoners were released on Belarusian soil before being repatriated to Russia.
01:19
I thank you for your service, for your patience, for enduring all the difficulties.
01:24
We are very happy that our Ministry of Defence worked hard to organize your return.
01:28
Our president was very worried about you, and you are almost home.
01:32
This is the 59th prisoner exchange since the Russian invasion back in February 2022,
01:38
with nearly 4,000 Ukrainians released since the outbreak of the war.
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