Russia and Ukraine Conduct Prisoner Exchange, Including Civilians from Kursk Region

On Sunday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, resulting in the release of 146 prisoners of war from each side. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the swap, which occurred at an undisclosed location.

In addition to the POWs, Moscow also secured the release of eight civilians who had been captured by Ukrainian forces during an incursion into Russia's Kursk Region last year. These civilians were greeted in Belarus by the Russian Human Rights Commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova. They had been taken into Ukrainian custody during the incursion launched by Kiev in August of the previous year.

The Russian servicemen freed during the exchange are currently receiving medical and psychological assistance in Belarus. They are scheduled to be transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.

Vladimir Medinsky, Moscow's chief negotiator, commented that the Ukrainian servicemen released had been selected from a pool of approximately 1,000 prisoners whom Ukraine had previously refused to accept back. He noted that the Ukrainian "exchange fund" appeared to be dwindling.