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Omsk serviceman reunited with family after Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

A missing soldier's long journey home ends in reunion. Behind the scenes, officials and his wife fought tirelessly to bring him back from captivity.

The image shows a paper with pictures and text depicting Union soldiers in Andersonville Prison....
The image shows a paper with pictures and text depicting Union soldiers in Andersonville Prison. The paper is filled with detailed illustrations of the soldiers in uniform, standing in a line with their weapons drawn and ready for battle. The text on the paper provides further information about the soldiers and their mission.

Omsk serviceman reunited with family after Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

An Omsk serviceman has returned home after being included in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on March 5. His repatriation followed months of efforts by officials and his family after he went missing in August 2024.

The serviceman's wife first sought help from State Duma Deputy Oksana Fadina last spring. At the time, his whereabouts were unknown, and his status had not yet been confirmed as a prisoner of war. Fadina worked with Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova to locate him and secure his inclusion in the exchange.

The process involved verifying his captivity and negotiating with Ukrainian authorities. Fadina later confirmed his place on the exchange list and informed the family of the upcoming release. This marks the second large-scale prisoner swap this year, following a 157-for-157 exchange in early February.

The serviceman's return comes after coordinated efforts by Russian officials and his relatives. His case was resolved through diplomatic channels, leading to his release in the March 5 exchange. The family has now been reunited after months of uncertainty.

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