Ukraine returns 130 servicemen from Russian captivity, Chechnya reports exchanging five of its fighters

Ukraine has returned 130 servicemen from Russian captivity, Andriy Yearmak, the head of Zelensky’s administration, reports.

“A large Ester exchange. We have returned 130 of our people back home. This exchange had several stages in recent days.

Military, border guards, National Guardsmen, sailors, employees of the State Special Transport Service … Privates and sergeants who were captured in the Bakhmut, Soledar, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson directions,” Yermak wrote.

The authorities of Russia’s Chechnya reported exchanging five fighters of the North-Akhmat regiment for Ukrainian captives.

Magomed Daudov, the local parliament speaker, says the fighters were captured on 14 December. Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen governor, has called on them to return to the front line.

“I believe a Chechen warrior has no reason for being captured. There might be all sorts of excuses, but nonetheless, he must prove that he had no other choice. To prove it, he must return to the front line,” Kadyrov wrote.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence reported returning 106 servicemen from Ukrainian captivity on 10 April. Yermak reported 100 people returning home.