Zelenskyy announces new prisoner swaps: Whom Ukraine prepares to return

He made the announcement following a meeting with the team of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

According to Zelenskyy, the meeting detailed the results of the swaps, carried out this year, as well as preparations for the next stages.

«We hope to welcome home the Ukrainians who are currently in captivity in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories in the near future,» the president said.

He noted that the Coordination Headquarters has already processed the necessary documents and lists for the swaps, and said that constant communication with the Russian side regarding humanitarian issues is ongoing.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine remembers all citizens remaining in Russian captivity — both military and civilians. Special attention is paid to those who were captured even before the start of the full-scale invasion.

Whom Ukraine seeks to return

The meeting also discussed requests from international organizations and work with partners to release Ukrainians.

The president emphasized that progress is needed for all categories of prisoners.

«Journalists, city mayors and community leaders, energy workers, our soldiers — Azovstal defenders, marines, paratroopers, and all others for whom the exchange process is particularly difficult. Our goal is to return all our people from captivity,» Zelenskyy said.

He added that Ukraine verifies all information and checks data regarding every name.

The president noted that sometimes a person is on the list of the missing, but is later found in camps in Russia and returned to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine will speak with specific leaders of partner countries regarding additional steps to release prisoners.

«The work will continue,» the president concluded.