Moscow: Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday completion of the second exchange of military prisoners with Ukraine.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Ministry reported that, in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on Jun. 2 in Istanbul, a second group of Russian servicemen was returned. In exchange, a group of Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war was handed over.
The statement noted that the returned Russian prisoners are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving necessary psychological and medical assistance. It further clarified that all Russian servicemen will be transferred to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities operated by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Yesterday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the return of the first group of Russian servicemen under 25 years old from Ukraine. Additionally, the first batch of Ukrainian soldiers’ remains was transported to the agreed-upon exchange zone last Sunday. This was done in implementation of the humanitarian agreement reached during the second round of Istanbul talks earlier this month. The Ministry explained that this batch included 1,212 bodies, many of which were identified, while others were classified as Ukrainian soldiers based on their military uniforms and the areas where they were found.
The Istanbul talks, held on Jun. 2 under Turkish patronage and with the participation of international observers, led to an agreement on humanitarian issues. These include a comprehensive exchange of prisoners of war, including minors and the sick, and the exchange of remains of up to 6,000 soldiers.
The two sides also exchanged memorandums regarding a limited ceasefire but did not reach a comprehensive truce, as disagreements persist over security and political matters.