A 10-for-10 exchange between Russia and Ukraine took place in the Gomel Region of Belarus.

Under a mechanism activated on the instructions of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, ten Ukrainian citizens and ten Russian servicemen who had previously been held captive were returned to their respective sides.

Belarusian television channel Pervy Informatsionny described the operation as another humanitarian mission carried out by Belarus, which continues to present itself as a platform for dialogue between the parties.

Belarusian Labor and Social Protection Minister Irina Kostevich said the Ukrainian citizens involved had violated Belarusian law while in the country. The Russian servicemen are expected to be brought home shortly.

The previous exchange took place on August 19 at the Novaya Guta border checkpoint in the Gomel Region. On that occasion, Russia returned 103 servicemen from Ukrainian captivity, including 31 wounded personnel. The United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator.

Russian ombudsman Yana Lantratova had earlier said that the Ukrainian side often rejects Russian exchange proposals, refuses to take back its own citizens and delays the return of Russian prisoners.