Russia, Ukraine complete first phase of agreed prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine have conducted the initial stage of a bilateral prisoner exchange, returning a group of servicemen under the age of 25 to their respective home countries, as part of agreements brokered in Istanbul earlier this month.

According to a statement by the Russian Ministry of Defence, the exchange took place on June 9 and involved a reciprocal transfer of captured personnel, Caliber.Az reports.

“On June 9, under the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, the first group of Russian servicemen under 25 years of age was returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In return, a similar number of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ prisoners of war were handed over,” the statement read.

"Today an exchange began, which will continue in several stages over the coming days," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.

He posted images of soldiers draped in Ukrainian flags, cheering and hugging.

“Among those being repatriated are the wounded, the severely injured, and servicemen under the age of 25,” he added.

Neither party disclosed the exact number of prisoners released.

Following the Istanbul negotiations, both sides indicated that the exchange would involve over 1,000 detainees, marking the largest such operation since the onset of the three-year conflict.

The swap appeared to be at risk over the weekend amid mutual accusations between Moscow and Kyiv of deliberate delays and obstruction.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Russia on June 8 for engaging in a “dirty, political game” and failing to honor the agreed terms, which stipulated the release of all captured soldiers who are sick, wounded, or under 25 years old.

Conversely, Russia accused Kyiv of refusing to repatriate the bodies of deceased soldiers, asserting that approximately 1,200 remains were awaiting transfer in refrigerated trucks near the border.

The Russian servicemen are presently located within the territory of Belarus, where they are receiving comprehensive psychological and medical support.

Subsequently, all returned personnel will be transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities operated by the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The Istanbul-brokered agreement is seen as part of broader efforts to establish periodic humanitarian exchanges between the two countries. 

By Vafa Guliyeva