[61321] Prisoner exchange deal: 'Mom Tanya's' son released from Russian captivity after 4 years

Prisoner exchange: A moving closure of a circle

On May 15, 2026, a significant prisoner exchange deal took place in which 205 Ukrainian defenders were released. Among the released, the name of Artem Vishnyak stands out, a fighter from the "Azov" unit and a defender of the "Azovstal" plant in Mariupol, who had been in Russian captivity for four years.

According to a report by the ProKyiv channel, which is identified with coverage supporting the Ukrainian narrative, Artem returned home after a long period in which he was held in captivity. UNITED24, the official platform of the Ukrainian government, added that 20 Azov fighters were returned in this deal, with 19 of them being defenders of "Azovstal".

Artem's story became a symbol for the families of the prisoners, as his mother, Tetyana Vishnyak, known by the nickname "Mom Tanya," is a well-known figure in the Ukrainian public sphere due to her extensive activity for the release of prisoners. According to UNITED24, this is a "family that has finally been reunited."

News sources such as UA Stream note that Artem's condition was particularly severe, as the authorities in Russia had sentenced him before his release to 22 years in prison. His release comes as part of an ongoing diplomatic effort by Kyiv to return all the fighters imprisoned in Russia.