Kiev [Ukraine] / Moscow [Russia], June 20: Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war for the fifth time on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Telegram that the swap included members of the Ukrainian army, the national guard and border troops.
According to the staff responsible for prisoner of war affairs, severely injured and seriously ill soldiers have been exchanged. The majority of those released had reportedly been in captivity for more than three years.
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the exchange at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border. Neither side provided information on the number of soldiers who returned home in the exchange. Kiev and Moscow agreed during talks in Turkiye in early June to exchange soldiers under the age of 25, and those who are severely injured or ill, in several stages.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that some 900 prisoners have been exchanged so far. A third round of negotiations, set to start after June 22, will also address the continuation of the exchange of prisoners of war, alongside the fundamental question of ending the war, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
