Mariana Checheliuk, a 24-year-old investigator with the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) from the city of Mariupol, was among the prisoners of war (POWs) that Ukraine liberated as part of the 52nd POW swap. Mariana had been in captivity for more than two years.

Yuliia Pryimak, Head of the Central Regional Centre of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, has spread the news.

After the start of the full-scale invasion, the young lady and her younger sister were hiding from Russian bombardment in the walls of Azovstal steelworks. After the evacuation of civilians from the steelworks, the sisters were separated in a Russian filtration camp.

"Mariana lost a lot of weight, her immune system weakened, her hair began to fall out, and her periods disappeared," her mother described Mariana's condition.

The daughter received no letters from her mother, who constantly sent them. The young lady knew absolutely nothing about her family, what happened to them or where they were.

Later, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War published the video showing the soldiers, brought back from Russian captivity, on their native land. The video shows Mariana crying and calling her mom for the first time.

A total of 70 men and five women have been brought back to Ukraine as part of the swap. At least a third of the POWs have been injured, seriously ill or disabled.