Istanbul agreements facilitate another prisoner exchange between Russia, Ukraine

Following the agreements reached in Istanbul on June 2, Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner exchange amid hostilities. The swap involved the return of Russian servicemen from Ukrainian-controlled territory and Ukrainian prisoners of war, alongside commitments to repatriate the remains of fallen soldiers.

The Russian servicemen have been transferred to Belarus, where they are currently receiving comprehensive psychological and medical care, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian Defence Ministry.

Following this initial treatment, they will be repatriated to the Russian Federation for further rehabilitation in medical facilities operated by the Russian Defence Ministry.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed the recent prisoner exchange with Russia, in which captured Ukrainian servicemen were repatriated as part of the agreements reached during the Istanbul talks.

In a statement posted on his official Telegram channel, Zelenskyy acknowledged that the returned servicemen had been held captive for over two years.

He expressed gratitude to all those involved in the return of Ukrainian personnel and emphasized that efforts are ongoing to ensure that prisoner exchanges continue until all detainees are safely repatriated.

This exchange was carried out in line with the agreements reached between Russia and Ukraine on June 2 during talks held in Istanbul, underscoring ongoing efforts to facilitate humanitarian measures amid the ongoing conflict.

During the talks—the first direct negotiations between the parties in three years—both nations agreed to the release of over 1,000 prisoners of war from each side, prioritizing those who are wounded, ill, or under the age of 25.

In Istanbul, Moscow and Kyiv also reached an agreement to repatriate the remains of more than 6,000 deceased Ukrainian soldiers, with multiple phases of the transfer having been conducted in recent weeks.

However, Moscow dismissed Kyiv’s calls for an unconditional ceasefire, instead insisting that peace can only be achieved if Ukraine cedes additional territory and relinquishes Western military support as preconditions.

By Vafa Guliyeva