25 Ukrainian servicemen freed from captivity in Donetsk region – Poroshenko

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that 25 Ukrainian soldiers captured by pro-Russian insurgents in Donetsk region have been freed.

"Today, we have been able to free 25 of our soldiers who were in Donetsk region. Already on August 15, 25 families will be able to see and embrace their loved ones. Glory to Ukraine!" the president wrote on his Facebook page in the early hours of Friday.

First Deputy Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Andriy Purhin said earlier that the separatists had managed to exchange 26 captured Ukrainian servicemen for 26 rebel prisoners on Thursday.