Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the information on June 26.According to him, most Ukrainians had been held captive by Russia since 2022.“We continue the exchanges, another stage. Today, soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022,” he wrote.“We are doing everything to find everyone, to verify information about every name. We must bring all our people home,” the head of state added.In turn, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, noted that the former Kremlin captives will undergo medical examinations, have their documents restored, and receive rehabilitation.“Another stage of returning Ukraine’s defenders has taken place within the framework of the Istanbul agreements. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service are returning home. Among them are servicemen of the Territorial Defense, motorized infantry brigades, marines, and airborne assault troops,” he wrote.“There are defenders of Mariupol and those who were captured in 2022. Some defenders were listed as missing and had not been confirmed by the aggressor country,” Lubinets added. Among those who returned are also officers. The oldest released is 62 years old, the youngest is 24.The previous prisoner exchange took place on June 19. It was the result of the Istanbul agreements between Ukraine and Russia.The first round of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul took place on May 16, 2025, and the second on June 2. According to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, during the second meeting in Istanbul on June 2, Russia put forward a set of old ultimatums in response to Ukraine’s constructive proposals, which could have brought a just peace closer. During the negotiations, it was only possible to agree on a prisoner exchange, but not on a ceasefire.