Russia, Ukraine conduct prisoner, civilian exchange under Istanbul agreement

Russia has announced the repatriation of 270 military personnel and 120 civilians from Ukraine, following a bilateral agreement brokered in Istanbul earlier this month.

According to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defence, the exchange took place on May 23, based on arrangements finalised on May 16, Caliber.Az reports.

In return, Russia handed over 270 Ukrainian military prisoners and 120 civilians to Ukraine.

Among those repatriated to Russia were civilians from the Kursk region, described by Russian officials as having been detained by Ukrainian forces. No further details were provided about the identities or conditions of those involved.

At present, Russian military personnel and civilians are on the territory of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance.

They will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities.

To recall, the sole substantive result of last week’s meeting between Kyiv and Moscow in Istanbul—their first direct talks since shortly after Russia’s full-scale, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—was an agreement to each release 1,000 prisoners.

By Aghakazim Guliyev