UPDATE - Russia, Ukraine swap 270 servicemen each in latest prisoner exchange

ADDS STATEMENT BY UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT; MINOR EDITS

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Moscow and Kyiv swapped 270 servicemen each in a latest prisoner exchange, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

A ministry statement said that the returned Russian servicemen are currently in neighboring Belarus, where 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.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed the swap, the first since August, describing it as a "very important result."

In a statement on US social media company X, Zelenskyy said most of those returned to Ukraine had been in captivity since 2022. "We remember one and all and continue searching for everyone. I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible."

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets earlier said an agreement had been reached to arrange a separate return of civilians through his contacts with his Russian counterpart.

“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.

Burç Eruygur