Russian servicemen who returned from Ukrainian captivity thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for the opportunity to return to their homeland.
"I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation on my own behalf and on behalf of all prisoners of war, first of all to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin for the opportunity to return to our homeland, as well as to the entire Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. We are all happy and joyful that we are finally returning to our homeland, to our families and loved ones," said serviceman Roman in a video provided by the Ministry of Defense.
"I still can't believe it, to be honest".
Serviceman Yevgeny also conveyed words of gratitude from the Ministry of Defense, his family and friends, the President and the citizens of the Russian Federation, who assisted in his speedy return to his homeland.
„We met, thank God, I thank the Ministry of Defense very much for not forgetting us. It was very nice, such support, that they don't forget. So far I have only called my mother, but she has completely lost her voice. Of course, I am incredibly happy. She has been waiting for a very long time. I am grateful to her prayers that I am still alive. I really want to hug my parents. And, of course, to return to my princesses, my daughters,“ said serviceman Vladimir.
The plane with 175 Russian servicemen returning from Ukrainian captivity landed in Chkalovsky. The footage was shown on the Russia-24 television channel.
As reported by the Ministry of Defense, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war according to the formula 175 for 175. Russia handed over to Ukraine 22 seriously wounded prisoners of war in need of urgent medical care.
The Russian servicemen will undergo treatment and rehabilitation in medical facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The UAE has provided its humanitarian mediation efforts during the return of the Russian servicemen from captivity.
Junior Sergeant Alexander Dzema and Private Denis Popov, servicemen of the 92nd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), sentenced to 15 years for terrorist attacks in the Kursk region, have fully admitted their guilt. This is noted in the case materials available to TASS.
„The evidence confirming the charges includes the confessions of Popov and Dzema“, one of the documents notes.
On March 19, a military court sentenced two Ukrainian servicemen who shot at civilians in the Sudzhansky district of the Kursk region to 15 years in prison.
The court found servicemen from the 92nd Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Junior Sergeant Alexander Dzema and Private Denis Popov, guilty of committing a terrorist act in the Kursk region (Article 205, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).