Latest news with #AirAssaultForces
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal
Ukraine has brought home another group of service members from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on June 12, saying the latest exchange focused on "severely wounded and seriously ill warriors." The prisoners of war (POWs) were released as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia agreed upon during recent peace talks in Istanbul, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the POWs said. Some of the POWs had been held by Russia for more than three years, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters. Many of the released defenders had been classified as missing in action. "This is part of a major exchange that continues in phases," the headquarters said in a statement. "These soldiers require urgent medical care and will receive full assistance, including psychological rehabilitation and financial compensation for their time in captivity." Troops from multiple Ukrainian military branches were freed in the exchange, including the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service. Many had served in combat operations across Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. June 12 release follows a similar exchange on June 10, which concluded the second stage of the Istanbul agreement. That phase also prioritized injured personnel. The previous swap focused on personnel with severe injuries and illnesses, including amputations, vision loss, shrapnel wounds, and chronic conditions like hepatitis and tuberculosis. Among the returnees are defenders of Mariupol, captured during the early months of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The Istanbul deal was reached during a second round of direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations on June 2. While no political breakthrough was achieved, both sides agreed to a phased exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of fallen soldiers' remains. As part of that agreement, Russia pledged to return the bodies of up to 6,000 Ukrainian service members. Ukraine has brought back the bodies of 1,212 fallen service members on June 11. Vladimir Medinsky, aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed Ukraine released the remains of 27 Russian service members, while Kyiv did not confirm this. The recent prisoner swap comes weeks after the largest such exchange of the war to date — from May 23–25, in which each sidereleased 1,000 captives. Since Russia's full-scale invasion began, more than 5,000 Ukrainian POWs have been returned home, according to official figures. Ukraine continues to push for an "all-for-all" formula to bring every captured Ukrainian soldier back, but Moscow has so far rejected such a comprehensive agreement. Meanwhile, the Coordination Headquarters said preparations are underway for the next phase of exchanges in the coming weeks. Read also: Ukraine, Russia conduct second prisoner swap under Istanbul deal We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Zelenskyy appoints new commanders of Air Assault Forces and Unmanned Systems Forces
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replaced the commanders of the Unmanned Systems Forces and Air Assault Forces of Ukraine on the evening of 3 June. Robert "Madyar" Brovdi is now the commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and Oleh Apostol is the new commander of the Air Assault Forces. Source: Zelenskyy in a video address; presidential decrees on the website; Unmanned Systems Forces Quote from Zelenskyy: "The appointment of Oleh Apostol as commander of the Air Assault Forces and Robert Brovdi as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces has been approved. This also marks a greater focus on combat issues, as the successful experience of the best brigades must be scaled up." Details: Vadym Sukharevskyi, who previously headed the Unmanned Systems Forces, has been appointed deputy commander of Operational Command Skhid (East). Zelenskyy said that Sukharevskyi's task would be to modernise this command. Ihor Skybiuk, the previous commander of the Air Assault Forces, has been appointed deputy chief of the General Staff. After one year in office, Sukharevskyi wrote in a social media post that he was proud to have headed the Unmanned Systems Forces during its first and most challenging year of formation. However, he added that at this stage, his vision for the future development of the Unmanned Systems Forces differed from that of the leadership: "I consider it an honest and professional decision in this situation to end my term as commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces. I am leaving my position with deep faith in everyone who continues to carry this idea forward." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Paratroopers release footage showing capture of Russian soldiers
Paratroopers have released a video showing how they, together with neighbouring units, captured Russian soldiers on the Kursk front. Source: Air Assault Forces Command Quote: "Russian soldiers are surrendering because the abuse in their units is worse than captivity. In their units on Russian territory, they were subjected to inhumane treatment, psychological pressure and threats." Details: The paratroopers emphasised that the POWs could be used for further exchange for Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Another Air Assault Corps of Ukraine's Armed Forces joins fight against Russians
A new military command unit has started operation within Ukraine's Armed Forces – the 8th Corps of the Air Assault Forces (AAF). Source: Air Assault Forces press service Details: The creation of the corps is intended to enable more effective command over subordinate brigades, improved personnel management, and faster logistical and operational support. The corps is built around a core of experienced officers and sergeants who are well-versed in modern warfare and have faced one of the most brutal enemies on the battlefield. The 8th Corps includes combat brigades that became legendary during the Anti-Terrorist Operation [the ATO or Anti-Terrorist Operation is a term used from 2014 to 2018 by the media, the government of Ukraine and the OSCE to identify combat actions in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts against Russian military forces and pro-Russian separatists – ed.], Joint Forces Operation, as well as those that were formed after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, namely: 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 80th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Air Assault Forces as well as combat and logistics support units. Quote from the corps commander, Colonel Dmytro Voloshyn: "Clear planning and coordination, a strong fist and concentration on the front are the principles by which the 8th Airborne Corps will fight!" Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukrainian paratroopers and their brothers-in-arms capture nine Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast
Ukrainian paratroopers, together with adjacent units of the defence forces, have captured nine Russian servicemen on the Kursk front in Russia. Source: Communications Directorate of the Air Assault Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Quote: "At first, they agreed to defend the delusional fantasies of the Kremlin's dictatorial regime, but instead of dying in disgrace, they chose to surrender and were taken prisoner by Ukrainian soldiers – a new addition to the exchange fund of the Air Assault Forces in the Kursk sector." Details: The prisoners have received medical and psychological assistance. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
