Russia and Ukraine have carried out a new prisoner exchange on a 270-for-270 basis. Military personnel and nine civilians returned to Ukraine, while the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the return of its servicemen, infohub.kz reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the exchange on Telegram. According to him, National Guard members — including Azov fighters — border guards, territorial defence fighters, and servicemen of the Navy, Ground Forces, Air Assault Forces and the State Special Transport Service are returning home, along with nine civilians. Most of them had been held captive since 2022.
“Many were unlawfully convicted in Russia. Among those returning are five people who were considered dead after the Russian terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022. We remember every one of them and continue to search for all. Thank you to everyone working for these exchanges. And, of course, I am grateful to our warriors, who on the front line add to Ukraine's exchange fund so that we can bring our people back,” the president wrote.
According to Deutsche Welle, the Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed the return of 270 Russian servicemen. According to Moscow, the exchange took place in Belarus.
RBC writes that after receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the servicemen will be taken to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
We previously reported that Putin called Ukraine a close people and announced the resumption of talks. Before that, Putin responded to Zelensky's words about readiness to give up territories.