Russia confirms that the exchange of one thousand prisoners per side with Ukraine has been completed.

Moscow.- The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that another exchange of 303 prisoners of war per side has taken place, thus completing the exchange of one thousand prisoners agreed with Ukraine in Istanbul during the first direct negotiations with Kyiv in three years.

“On May 25, 303 Russian soldiers were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, 303 prisoners of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were handed over,” Defense stated in a statement published on its Telegram channel.

Currently, the Russian military is in the territory of Belarus, where they receive the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the note adds.

Ukrainian President Zelensky also confirmed on his Telegram account that “303 Ukrainian defenders are at home.” “One-third of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange agreed in Turkey has been completed,” stated the Ukrainian head of state.

You may be interested in: Russia reports the exchange of another 307 prisoners per side within the framework of the agreement with Kiev

It is recalled that, last week, in Istanbul, both parties carried out the first direct contacts in three years and the exchange was the greatest concrete achievement reached by the representatives of Kyiv and Moscow.