The prisoner swap resulted in the release of around 300 individuals, the majority of them members of the Ukrainian Azov regiment, renowned for its defense of the Azovstal steel complex.
One of the five Brits freed in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine has been photographed with his family.
Shaun Pinner is believed to be with his family in the United Kingdom.
In addition to Mr. Pinner, the foreign and commonwealth office has verified the release of Aiden Aslin, John Harding, Dylan Healy, and Andrew Hill.
Before their release, four of the men appeared in online or Russian state television videos.
On their journey back to the United States, Mr. Aslin and Mr.
Mr. Aslin stated, “We are finally out of the danger zone and on our way home to our families.”
“By a hair’s breadth,” Mr. Pinner remarked.
In April, Russian forces seized both men, accusing them of being mercenaries.
In response, they were brought before a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, a breakaway area in eastern Ukraine, and threatened with execution by firing squad.
The majority of those released in the prisoner exchange are Ukrainians, including numerous troops from the Azov regiment, which gained notoriety for defending Mariupol’s final position.
Mr. Harding was among the few soldiers locked up in the Azovstal steelworks in the southeastern port city.
Ten additional foreigners, including the Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, the Americans Alexander Drueke, and Andy Huynh, a Croat, and a Swedish national, have been returned to Saudi Arabia.
