Russia, Ukraine announce exchange of over 400 military personnel

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia and Ukraine announced that a prisoner exchange took place between the two countries involving more than 400 military personnel.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on X that 207 people have returned to Ukraine.

“We remember each Ukrainian in captivity. Both warriors and civilians. We must bring all of them back. We are working on it,” Zelenskyy further said, congratulating his team for their work.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s Presidential Office, said the 207 people are comprised of personnel from the country’s Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service and National Police.

The Russian Defense Ministry declared that 195 Russian military personnel have been released as a result of the exchange.

“The released military personnel will be transported by military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Ministry of Defense,” a ministry statement said.

It added that the personnel were provided with the “necessary medical and psychological assistance.”