Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office, announced that 261 Ukrainian defenders, including 38 officers, and nine civilian prisoners have been returned from Russian captivity. Among those released are individuals who were held since 2018 and 2020, and some who survived the attack in Olenivka.

Budanov stated that all released individuals are receiving medical assistance, and many were illegally convicted by the aggressor state on false charges, contrary to international law. The release also included 74-year-old Steven Gabbard, a US citizen who lived in Izium, Kharkiv region, and taught English, who was also allegedly illegally convicted and tortured by Russians.