Russia and Ukraine announced on Saturday that more than 200 people have been released in a prisoner swap between the two countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky released a statement and video announcing that 82 soldiers and sergeants, along with 21 officers, had returned from Russian captivity.
It follows the release of 49 Ukrainians on Friday and an exchange of more than 100 prisoners in August.
Zelensky said many of the prisoners have been held by Russia since 2022, in the first months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Some of the prisoners were members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards, police officers and soldiers of the Defense and Security Services. They came from the Kiev and Donetsk regions, and some were captured in Kharkov and Kherson.
Some of the men are in serious condition from injuries and will need care, he said.
“Thanks to our exchange team for their work. And my deepest gratitude to all our brave combat brigades who continue to contribute to the ‘exchange fun’ for our country,” Zelensky said.
He credited Ukraine’s recent military operation in Kursk, Russia, with providing the “necessary momentum” for the prisoner swap to succeed.
The Russian Defense Ministry also reported that Ukraine released 103 Russian servicemen in return.
“Currently, all Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they receive the necessary psychological and medical assistance, as well as the opportunity to contact their relatives,” Russia said on Saturday.
They are then transferred to Russia and released there.
In August, Ukraine launched a mission in Russia’s Kursk region. The risky move may not bear the fruit Ukraine had hoped, as it has failed to divert Russian troops from the front lines in eastern Ukraine to try to reshape the battlefield.
Although Russia has withdrawn some troops, it continues to advance along the 965-kilometer eastern front line and launch devastating attacks into Ukraine.
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