Russia, Ukraine start new exchange of prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine launched on Monday a new prisoner exchange, agreed earlier this month during direct negotiations in Istanbul between representatives from both countries.
According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 has been released from Ukrainian captivity. In return, a similar number of Ukrainian prisoners were handed over by Moscow. Neither side disclosed the exact number of individuals involved.
Moscow said the repatriated Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical assistance.
'Our people are home,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X. He confirmed the return of young soldiers and seriously injured individuals but did not provide specific figures.
Zelensky said the exchange process is 'quite complex' although he expressed hope that the Istanbul agreement would be fully implemented.
Ukrainian prisoners of war pose with flags following a prisoner swap with Russia on Monday. Photo: via EPA-EFE
He said the swaps would 'continue in several stages over the coming days'.
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Russia, Ukraine start new exchange of prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine launched on Monday a new prisoner exchange, agreed earlier this month during direct negotiations in Istanbul between representatives from both countries. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 has been released from Ukrainian captivity. In return, a similar number of Ukrainian prisoners were handed over by Moscow. Neither side disclosed the exact number of individuals involved. Moscow said the repatriated Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical assistance. 'Our people are home,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X. He confirmed the return of young soldiers and seriously injured individuals but did not provide specific figures. Zelensky said the exchange process is 'quite complex' although he expressed hope that the Istanbul agreement would be fully implemented. Ukrainian prisoners of war pose with flags following a prisoner swap with Russia on Monday. Photo: via EPA-EFE He said the swaps would 'continue in several stages over the coming days'.
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