Russia and Ukraine carried out a prisoner exchange on October 23, with each country receiving 270 military personnel. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the swap, which brought hundreds of Russian servicemen out of captivity.

The released Russian troops are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical attention and psychological support. Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is also working with the returning soldiers. They will subsequently be transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities operated by the Defense Ministry.

Prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kiev have continued to involve both military personnel and civilians. In early September, the Kremlin confirmed that efforts to arrange further exchanges were still underway.

Before the latest swap, the two countries last exchanged captives on August 19 in Belarus. That operation resulted in the release of 103 Russian servicemen, while an equal number of Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over to Kiev.