Ukraine returns 160 military personnel, reports Russian attacks and losses

Ukraine announced the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, including Mariupol defenders. Russian forces launched missiles and drones overnight, with some impacts reported. Ukraine's General Staff updated Russian military losses.
Ukraine has secured the return of 160 military personnel from Russian captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. All freed soldiers had been held since 2022, with 115 defenders of Mariupol among them. The ages of those released ranged from 26 to 66. Russia's Ministry of Defense also confirmed the exchange. Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles overnight into June 26, targeting the Kyiv and Poltava regions. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 177 targets, though four missiles and eleven drones impacted locations. Ukraine's General Staff updated figures for Russian military personnel losses to over 1.39 million since the full-scale invasion began.
Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда
How outlets assessed this
- Jun 26, 2026, 02:00 PM UTC
- Українська правда Neutral Its headline incorrectly stated freed soldiers were held for four years, contradicting its own body text.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Jun 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCUkraine returns 160 military personnel, Russia launches new attacks
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- Jun 26, 2026, 03:00 PM UTCUkraine returns 160 soldiers, reports new Russian attacks and losses
- Jun 26, 2026, 02:30 PM UTCUkraine returns 160 military personnel, reports new Russian attacks and losses
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