The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, have published videos showing the prisoner exchange that took place on 12 June.

Source: SSU; Kyrylo Budanov

Quote: "Infantrymen, marines, paratroopers, National Guardsmen, border guards, Air Force troops and Territorial Defence fighters are coming home. Among them are defenders of Mariupol who spent more than three years in captivity."

Буданов показав відео з обміну полоненими 12 червня pic.twitter.com/k2HEALRCNC

— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) June 12, 2025

Details: Budanov added that the next stage of the POW swap will take place soon.

СБУ показала ексклюзивне відео обміну полоненими 12 червня pic.twitter.com/PZFEwKv1xe

— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) June 12, 2025

Background:

• At the negotiations in Istanbul on 2 June, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a 6,000-for-6,000 exchange of bodies of fallen soldiers. The Ukrainian and Russian delegations also agreed on the all-for-all exchange involving severely wounded and young service members aged between 18 and 25.
• On 9 June, the first group of released servicemen under the age of 25 returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity as part of the first stage of the 66th prisoner exchange.
• On 10 June, Ukraine brought back from Russian captivity a group of defenders who had suffered severe injuries and have serious health conditions.
• On 11 June, the bodies of 1,212 fallen defenders were brought back to Ukraine as a result of repatriation efforts.
• The Coordination Headquarters emphasised that, for security reasons, the exact number of released service members will be announced after the completion of the exchange process.

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