Russia reports new prisoner swap with Ukraine

Each side returned 185 troops, the Defense Ministry has said

Russia and Ukraine have each returned 185 troops from captivity in the latest prisoner exchange, the Defense Ministry in Moscow reported on Thursday.

Additionally, 20 civilians were released by Ukraine, the statement added, without indicating whether a reciprocal move was taken by Russia. Both groups are currently receiving medical and psychological assistance in Belarus, the ministry added.

The swap was conducted “in accordance with Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on July 23 in Istanbul,” the statement said, referring to the Türkiye-hosted direct talks between the two nations.

Footage later released by the ministry shows soldiers covering their shoulders with Russian flags and chanting “Hurray!” before boarding a bus.

Multiple prisoner exchanges were conducted both before and after the three rounds of Istanbul talks held this year. Moscow said it was willing to release as many Ukrainian prisoners of war as Kiev would be able to compensate on an equal basis.

Additionally, there were several rounds of exchanges of slain soldiers, in which no such parity was observed. During the latest swap in mid-September, 1,000 bodies of Ukrainian troops and 24 bodies of Russian troops were returned.

READ MORE: Kiev stalling peace talks – Kremlin

Moscow has hailed the repatriations as an example of constructive diplomacy with Ukraine, but accused Kiev of obstructing attempts to negotiate a broader agreement on resolving the armed conflict.

The Ukrainian government is urging Western backers to impose more sanctions against Russia and increase military and financial assistance for Kiev, claiming that this would help it turn the tables on Moscow.