Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the largest swaps since the start of the war. The deal was based on agreements made earlier in Istanbul.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that another round of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine had been completed under agreements reached in Istanbul on 2 June.
The Russian soldiers are currently in neighbouring Belarus, receiving psychological and medical support. The Russian Defence Ministry published a video on Wednesday showing soldiers cheering as they boarded buses headed for home.
"All Russian servicemen will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry," it said.
In return, a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was handed over to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, celebrating the return of more than a 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers on Wednesday. Many of them were seriously wounded and some were held for more than three years. He stressed the importance of ongoing exchanges and reiterated Ukraine’s call for peace.
"The warriors returning today defended Ukraine on various fronts. A significant number had been in captivity for more than three years. All of them will receive the necessary support and medical care," said Zelenskyy.
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