Ukraine brings home Olenivka survivors and a defender held captive since 2018
Another prisoner exchange took place today, October 23, 2026. As a result of the exchange, 270 Ukrainians were freed from russian captivity, including 261 service members, most of whom defended Mariupol, as well as nine civilians.
In total, 9,996 Ukrainians have already returned to their homeland.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine shares what is known about the service members brought home today.
Warriors who survived the terrorist attack in Olenivka return from russian captivity
Service members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine returned home, including representatives of the Navy, the Ground Forces, and the Air Assault Forces, as well as the State Special Transport Service, the Territorial Defence Forces, the Special Operations Forces, and the Military Law Enforcement Service (Military Police).
The exchange also resulted in the release of service members of the National Guard of Ukraine, including Azov warriors, and personnel from the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Also released was a rescuer from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Most of those freed were taken captive in 2022, including 221 during the defense of Mariupol, 72 of whom took part in the battles for Azovstal.
Among those who returned are five survivors of the russian terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022.
Two defenders were taken captive back in 2018 and 2020.
Defenders captured in 2018 and 2020 among those freed
Overall, those returning home include service members who fought in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Chernihiv sectors, as well as defenders of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Among those released today are 38 officers and 223 soldiers and sergeants.
The youngest released is 24, and the oldest is 63.
The aggressor state unlawfully prosecuted 94 of our service members on fabricated charges and handed down sham sentences to 90 of them.
Many were unlawfully sentenced to life imprisonment.
Efforts to bring home all captives continue
All those released will undergo medical examinations, receive medical treatment, be provided with essential items for their immediate needs, receive all due payments, and undergo rehabilitation and reintegration after prolonged isolation in russian captivity.
Ukraine expresses its gratitude to the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in facilitating the exchange.
The Ministry of Defence thanks all relevant institutions and organizations for their coordinated efforts to secure the release of our citizens. We continue our daily efforts to secure the release of every Ukrainian held captive.
As previously reported, Ukrainian defenders, both men and women, who have been freed from captivity will be able to undergo medical examinations by military medical commissions (MMCs) faster. This will allow them to confirm their entitlement to social guarantees and due payments sooner.
