The exchange was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who described it as the "first stage" in the return of seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers from captivity in Russia. "All of them need urgent medical assistance," Zelenskyy said on Telegram. "This is also an act of major humanitarian importance… We do everything to find and return our guys held captive."

Ukrainian Prisoners of War Who Need Urgent Help
Ukrainian authorities released a video showing freed soldiers, visibly emotional and many of them wrapped in the national flag or unit colors, chanting "Glory to Ukraine" as they stepped off buses at an undisclosed location. Most of the POWs are seriously wounded, their injuries range from loss of limbs to infection and shock, says the Ukrainian military intelligence. Those exchanged was not yet announced for security considerations.

Russia Confirms Homecoming of Its POWs
Russia's Ministry of Defense acknowledged the handover, as well. The released Russian soldiers were initially flown into close-by Belarus and returned to Russia for treatment as well as rehabilitation.

Peace Talks Bring Modest but Key Advances
The exchanges are among the relatively rare tangible outcomes of resumed peace discussions between Russia and Ukraine, which resumed in Turkey last month after more than three years of stalemate. While the talks have not produced a truce or a bigger solution, the two sides had previously committed to a monumental POW swap of 1,000 prisoners on each side — the largest such trade since the two sides started fighting.

During last week's meetings, the two sides also agreed to future repatriation of the bodies of thousands of fallen soldiers, but that process has yet to begin.