Russia and Ukraine every exchanged 303 prisoners on Sunday, finishing the biggest prisoner alternate underneath an settlement reached throughout their latest talks in Istanbul, Türkiye.
The Russian Defence Ministry stated that 303 Russian servicemen have “returned from Kiev-controlled territory,” whereas an equal variety of Ukrainian prisoners have additionally been freed.
Amongst these launched had been personnel from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Nationwide Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Particular Transport Service, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on X, Xinhua information company reported.
The freed Russian prisoners are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, the place they’re being supplied with crucial psychological and medical help, stated the Russian Defence Ministry.
Following their direct negotiations in Istanbul on Could 16, Russia and Ukraine agreed to alternate 1,000 prisoners every, marking the biggest prisoner swap for the reason that begin of the battle in 2022.
On Friday, each side exchanged 270 troopers and 120 civilians, adopted by a 307-for-307 swap of navy personnel on Saturday.
The three-day alternate of prisoners was the sixty fifth swap of captives between the 2 sides for the reason that begin of the battle and the sixth of its type this yr, in keeping with Ukraine’s Coordinating Headquarters for the Therapy of Prisoners of Warfare.