Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Russian defence ministry said it had swapped 150 Ukrainian soldiers held captive for an equal number of Russian troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksy said 189 Ukrainians had returned home.
He added that those released included "defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol", the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and Snake Island.
The BBC was present as freed Ukrainians were reunited with their loved ones at a location in northern Ukraine.
Before they arrived, Alina who was waiting for her husband Oleksandr - captured while defending the south-eastern city of Mariupol in 2022 - had tears streaming down her face.
"I have so many emotions," she said "It's been so difficult. I just want to see him."
Released prisoner Anatoliy, who was captured in the south-eastern city of Mariupol in 2022, told the BBC he was "overwhelmed by feelings".
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