Ukraine has successfully returned 189 of its citizens from Russian captivity (UPDATED).

Ukraine has brought back 189 Ukrainians from Russian captivity – including military personnel and two civilians who were captured in Mariupol. 

This was reported by Volodymyr Zelensky. 

Among those released are defenders of "Azovstal" and Mariupol, Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Snake Island, from various fronts. This group includes soldiers, sergeants, and officers. They are National Guard members, including "Azov" fighters, border guards, territorial defense forces, and servicemen from the Navy and Armed Forces. 

The return of the Ukrainians was facilitated by partners, particularly the UAE. 

UPDATED at 17:28:

According to data from the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, there have been 59 exchanges since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Ukraine has brought back a total of 3,956 individuals from Russian captivity, with 1,358 of them this year. This includes both military and civilians, among whom are servicemen who received so-called "sentences" in the Russian Federation.