Contracted in Istanbul: Russia and Ukraine exchanged 390 prisoners of war
Russia and Ukraine released 390 prisoners of war on Friday – the first part of the 2000 exchange, which negotiated teams of both countries agreed in Istanbul last Friday.
The 1,000 prisoners’ exchange agreement was the only specific step achieved in Istanbul over less than two hours of direct conversations between warring countries.
They failed to agree on the termination of fire proposed by US President Donald Trump because of Russia’s refusal.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to explain themselves for a truce, will exchange 2000 captives
The Ministry of Defense in Moscow said each country had released 270 soldiers and 120 civilians on Friday. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski confirmed the total number of 390 people and said more people would be released on Saturday and Sunday.
Seeing the exchange earlier on Friday, Trump wrote in Truth Social: « Congratulations to both sides for these negotiations. This can lead to something big ??? »
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that among the liberated were civilians captured in the Kurka region of Russia during Ukrainian invasion there, which began last year.
The liberated Russian troops and civilians were taken to Ukraine’s neighbor in Belarus to receive psychological and medical care before being moved to Russia for further care, the ministry said.
The liberated Ukrainians were taken to the Chernigov region to transmit the Ukrainian authorities.
In the meantime, the fighting continues. Russia said on Friday that it has taken over a settlement called cancer in the Northeast Kharkov region of Ukraine.
The governor of the Odessa region of Ukraine Oleg Kiper reported a rocket attack from Russia on Friday afternoon, from which the infrastructure of the harbor was injured. One man was killed and eight were injured.
