The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that on August 24, a prisoner-of-war exchange took place with Ukraine, during which 146 Russian servicemen were returned from Kyiv-controlled territory in exchange for 146 Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
In addition to the servicemen, eight civilians from Russia’s Kursk Region — who, according to Moscow, had been unlawfully detained by Ukrainian authorities — were also released and are expected to return home.
The Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance, according to the Ministry of Defense. After this initial phase, they will be transferred to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in military medical facilities.
In its official statement, the ministry praised the mediation of the United Arab Emirates in facilitating the exchange, emphasizing their role in the return of Russian servicemen from captivity.
