Russia, Ukraine swap 270 servicemen each in latest prisoner exchange

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that Moscow and Kyiv had swapped 270 servicemen each in the latest prisoner exchange between the two countries.

A ministry statement said that the returned Russian servicemen are currently in neighboring Belarus, where Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is “assisting” them.

It added that the servicemen will return to Russia after receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance and will be transported to Defense Ministry medical facilities for further treatment and rehabilitation.

Ukraine has yet to confirm the swap, though Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said earlier on Telegram that an agreement had been reached to arrange a separate return of civilians through his contacts with Lantratova.

“Seven Ukrainians have returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory, while seven individuals have traveled to the Russian Federation as part of a family reunification effort supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Lubinets said.

Lantratova also confirmed the swap, noting that Russian and Ukrainian human rights officials are working together in Belarus, where “several important humanitarian missions are taking place.”

Burç Eruygur