Forty-nine Ukrainian prisoners of war were released and returned to Kyiv in a swap with Russia.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy commended the military forces that are successfully capturing Russian troops, stating that this advantage is what enables Ukrainians to return home.

Forty-nine Ukrainian prisoners of war were released and returned to Kyiv in a swap with Russia.
Forty-nine Ukrainian prisoners of war were released and returned to Kyiv in a swap with Russia.

This week, nearly 50 Ukrainian soldiers were returned to their country in a prisoner exchange with Russia.

On Friday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared that 49 Ukrainians had been returned home through a swap facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.

The Ukrainian president stated, "The return of our people is always something we eagerly anticipate and strive relentlessly to bring about."

Ukrainian Prisoners of War Kyiv POW
Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are released into their own nation's custody following a prisoner swap with Russia this week. (Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS)

Zelenskyy thanked Ukrainian military units for capturing Russian soldiers, stating that these victories allowed the nation to demand swaps.

""Our warriors who capture Russian occupiers and neutralize saboteurs and collaborators, and our services that bring us closer to liberating our people, must be brought home," Zelenskyy stated."

This week, both military personnel and civilians were released from prison. This is the second swap since Ukraine began capturing territory in the Kursk region of Russia, where most of their own prisoners are held.

Ukrainian Prisoners of War Kyiv POW
Family, friends, and fellow countrymen gathered to welcome the Ukrainians taken captive by Russia that were released at an unknown location this week. (Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS)

Neither Russia nor Ukraine has disclosed the number of Russian prisoners exchanged for the 49 Ukrainian captives.

As Ukraine seeks permission from the United States to launch American missiles at Moscow, the release of the citizens has been announced.

On Tuesday, President Biden admitted that his administration is considering lifting the ban on Ukraine using U.S. weapons to strike deep inside Russia.

Ukrainian Prisoners of War Kyiv POW
Ukrainian prisoners of war are seen after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture. (Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy Via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS)

He stated that they are currently determining whether to permit Ukraine to utilize the long-range Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, to target Russian sites. All sides have expressed support for lifting the ban.

This week, a group of high-level House Republicans wrote to the president, stating that the restrictions have hindered Ukraine's ability to defeat Russia's aggression and have given the Kremlin's forces a safe haven to attack Ukraine without consequences.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

by Timothy Nerozzi

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