Russia’s Defense Ministry has announced that on 5 March, 200 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukrainian captivity, with 200 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war handed over to Kiev in exchange.

The ministry said that the released Russian soldiers have been taken to Belarus, where they are currently receiving necessary medical and psychological assistance. Once this stage is completed, they will be transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation in Defense Ministry medical facilities. It was also noted that the exchange was facilitated with the mediation of the UAE and the United States.

Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky stated that, under Geneva arrangements, Moscow and Kiev are set to carry out further prisoner swaps on 5 and 6 March according to a «500 for 500» formula.

The previous prisoner exchange took place exactly one month earlier, on 5 February. At that time, Russia brought back 157 of its servicemen and transferred the same number of prisoners to Ukraine. In addition, three residents of Kursk Region were returned from Ukrainian territory.