President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation, detailing the release from Russian captivity of fighters and commanders of "Azov" as well as ten foreign citizens.

"Ukrainians! Ukrainian women!

We are bringing our people home. The exchange has just been completed. Today we have 215 good news stories. 215!

This is undoubtedly a victory for our state, for all of our society. And most importantly — for 215 families who will be able to see their loved ones in safety. 

Hero of Ukraine Yevheniy Bova. Hero of Ukraine Lev Pashko. Hero of Ukraine Denis Prokopenko. 

In total, 108 fighters from "Azov", in total, 188 heroes from "Azostal" and Mariupol. Eight were injured during the Russian terrorist attack in Oleksandriya. In total, 215 heroes!

These are soldiers of the National Guard, our army, Naval Forces, border guards, police, territorial defense fighters, SBU workers and others.

Dmitry Kozatsky — famous "Orest", a photographer from Azostal. Mykola Kushch and Konstantin Nikitenko — combatants sentenced to death.

Kateryna Polischuk — "Birdie", Mariya Mamontova, Valentyna Zubko, Yana Shumovetska, Zoria Repetska, Anastasiia Chernynka.

We remember all of our people and strive to save every Ukrainian. This is the essence of Ukraine, our nature, what sets us apart from the enemy... We value each life!

And we will definitely do everything to rescue everyone who is in Russian captivity.

This operation was prepared for quite a long time. And the exchange has several components.

The first component: We exchanged one Russia fan for 200 soldiers. Initially, they offered to return 50 of our people in exchange for someone who had been in SBU pre-trial detention. We argued. Insisted. The number grew from fifty to two hundred. They are already in Ukraine. I consider this a good result.

Although even more than 200... Among the released Ukrainians, there are those who are preparing to become mothers. And I am especially happy that we were able to bring them back home today.

To exchange Medvedchuk for real soldiers — no loss. He went through all the investigative procedures prescribed by law. Ukraine received everything it needed from him to establish the truth within criminal proceedings.

The second component — in addition to 200 soldiers, we also returned five combat commanders, for whom we had to fight the hardest, longest and most difficultly. They faced the harshest threats. Five superheroes.

In exchange for them, we released 55 people who do not deserve any sympathy or even words at all. Those who fought against Ukraine. And those who betrayed Ukraine. People whom you and I definitely don't need.

Ukraine agreed with Turkey — I spoke about this with President Erdogan — that the five of our commanders being released from captivity will be in full safety, in comfortable conditions and under the personal protection of the Turkish President for the duration of the war. But we will ensure their families can see them.

Serhiy Volinskiy, Sviatoslav Palamar, Denis Prokopenko, Oleh Khomenko, Dmytro Shlega. Thank you again to President Erdogan!

And of course, we helped our friends — this is a matter of honor for Ukraine, a question of gratitude for the help given to our state. We managed to free ten foreign citizens who were in Russian captivity.

We discussed this with Boris Johnson at some point — he appealed for support. With American friends. Now home will be returning five British citizens, two US citizens, one Moroccan citizen and a Swedish citizen, one Croatian citizen. The enemy sentenced them to long-term imprisonment or death. We saved their lives.

All of them will return home through the mediation of Saudi Arabia. Truly grateful for everyone's help!

And I want to name those people thanks to whom we have these 215 good news stories today.

From the Ukrainian side, a fairly powerful group is dealing with the release issue. It is headed by four individuals: Head of Office Andriy Yermak, head of our intelligence service Budanov, SBU chief Maluk and Rustem Umerov. Also thank their team — Dmitry Ussov, ombudsman Lubinskyi, Minister Monastyrskyi.

Thank you to all of you for this Ukrainian success!

Tomorrow we will present some more participants in our group working towards rescuing our people from captivity. We will also provide more details about the exchange. Please wait for the briefing.

Once again, thank you to everyone who made this victory possible for Ukraine!

Welcome back all of our defenders, our defending women!

Remember each and every one!

Glory to Ukraine!»