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WorldMoment Ukrainian soldiers return home to their families after an agreement with...

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Moment Ukrainian soldiers return home to their families after an agreement with Russia

In a prisoner swap with Russia, more than 100 Ukrainian military have been returned to their families.

On camera yesterday, 130 soldiers, sailors, and border guards—many of whom were injured—carried one another home.

On the same day as millions of Ukrainians celebrate the Orthodox Christian Easter holiday, footage shows people embracing their relatives.

Andriy Yermak, the 51-year-old chief of staff, said: “It has been happening over the past few days in various stages.” Our citizens are returning home.

‘The quintessence of Easter is hope. This is exactly what the relatives who had been waiting for them for so long felt.

‘This task sounds short: Bring everyone back, and they will return.’

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released April 16, 2023. Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
The soldiers were draped in Ukrainian flags as they returned to their families (Picture: Reuters)
Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen during a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released April 16, 2023. Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
They embraced each other as they walked the road to freedom (Picture: Reuters)

But the founder of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was filmed threatening the prisoners before they were released.

He could be heard saying: ‘I hope you don’t fall back into our hands.’

Last week 106 Russian prisoners were swapped for 100 Ukrainians.

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released April 16, 2023. Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
The men were returned to Ukraine on the day Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter (Picture: Reuters)
Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location, Ukraine, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released April 16, 2023. Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT.
They were warned by Russia they better ‘not fall back into their hands’ before they left (Picture: Reuters)

Everyone was given food and multiple people were brought to tears while talking about their experiences.

One fighter said: ‘We are very thankful that we were released. We have been waiting for this day.’

Another was heard on the phone to their mum saying: ‘It’s okay, I’m back, alive, healthy. It’s okay mommy.’

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