People who were on the exchange list on January 24 were not all returned; the reason was explained by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

During a significant prisoner of war exchange today, on January 31, Ukrainian soldiers, who were scheduled to be released on January 24, were returned from Russian captivity. However, 65 individuals from the original list were not part of this exchange as they were allegedly declared dead by Russia due to the crash of the Il-76 military transport plane in the Belgorod region.

Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, provided this information to OBOZ.UA. He mentioned that not all individuals from the previous list, intended for the exchange on January 24 but delayed due to the plane crash, were included in this exchange.

"The basis of the list remained the same. Unfortunately, it excludes the 65 people whom Russia declared dead," stated the representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

Yusov highlighted that Russia asserts that these Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the plane crash, but this information has not yet been confirmed.

As a reminder, a substantial exchange of prisoners of war between Ukraine and Russia occurred on Wednesday, January 31. This marks the 50th exchange of prisoners with Russia to date.

OBOZ.UA reported that 207 Ukrainian soldiers returned home as part of the exchange, including those who defended Mariupol, Azovstal, Zmeinyi Island, and defended the state in various areas. The participants included soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Police.

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