Russia and Ukraine move forward with largest-ever POW swap
Moscow and Kiev have exchanged 307 POWs from each side, the Russian Defense Ministry has said
Another 307 Russian soldiers have been released as a result of a record prisoner exchange with Ukraine which was agreed on during the direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev in Türkiye earlier this month, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.
The Russian troops have been sent to Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance, the ministry explained.
The ministry announced on Saturday that “in line with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on May 16 in Istanbul, another 307 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime.”
It added that the Ukrainian side has received 307 of its POWs from Russia in return.
Moscow and Kiev agreed to a record 1,000 for 1,000 prisoner swap during the first direct talks between the sides in three years in Türkiye earlier this month. The exchange started on Friday, with 120 Russian civilians and 270 military personnel being released from Kiev’s captivity and an equal number of Ukrainian civilians and troops also returning home.
READ MORE: Russian civilians and soldiers return home in prisoner swap with Ukraine (VIDEOS)
Later on Saturday, the troops departed Belarus and arrived in Moscow Region. They will now undergo further treatment and rehabilitation at the ministry’s medical facilities.
Moscow said that the large-scale exchange, initiated by the Russian side, will continue.
