As part of the latest prisoner exchange, which took place on 23 October, 270 defenders returned to Ukraine. Among those released were five people from Lviv region, including Drohobych native and Azov Regiment fighter Taras Zvarychuk.
Taras Zvarychuk was born in Drohobych on 11 May 1994. After the Revolution of Dignity, he was among the first volunteers to step forward to defend Ukraine and fought in the ranks of the Azov Regiment.
On 16 May 2022, the serviceman was captured by Russia. The occupation authorities sentenced him to 25 years in prison, later increasing the term to 29 years, accusing him of “terrorism”. The fighter lodged appeals and tried to defend the truth, but to no avail. In captivity he was held in pre-trial detention centres in Rostov, Samara and Novosibirsk.
Thanks to the sustained efforts of the Ukrainian side, Taras Zvarychuk has been brought home. He is now undergoing rehabilitation together with other released servicemen. His parents and two brothers had been waiting for his return, and the community of Drohobych thanks the defender for his service and rejoices at his return to his native land.