106 Ukrainian captives from Bakhmut direction freed in prisoner swap with Russia

KIEV, May 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 106 Ukrainian soldiers taken captive in the Bakhmut direction have been released following a prisoner exchange with Russia, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andriy Yermak said Thursday.

The released troops include eight officers and 98 soldiers, Yermak wrote in a Telegram post.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky set a target to bring home all Ukrainian soldiers captured in the conflict with Russia, Yermak said.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said that the bodies of two foreigners and one Ukrainian citizen were returned to Ukraine.

Since March 2022, a total of 2,430 Ukrainians, including 139 civilians, have been freed in prisoner exchanges with Russia, the agency said.

Last week, Russia said that its forces had taken full control of the eastern city of Bakhmut, while Ukraine said it still controls certain facilities and the private sector in one of the city's districts.