Russia and Ukraine exchanged 270 prisoners of war each in the second consecutive repatriation effort in as many days, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.
“On Oct. 23, 270 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime,” the military said. “In exchange, 270 POWs of the Ukrainian armed forces were handed over.”
The swap took place at the Novaya Guta border crossing in Belarus, according to Belarusian state media.
While in Belarus, the Russian soldiers are being provided with mental health and medical support, after which they will return to Russia for further treatment. Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova is accompanying them, the Defense Ministry said.
On her Telegram channel, Lantratova said that 12 families were also reunited across the border, with seven civilians returning to Russia and seven others departing for Ukraine. She did not mention the POW exchange.
Lantratova said the family reunification was a joint effort with her Ukrainian colleague Dmytro Lubinets. She also thanked the International Committee of the Red Cross for helping mediate the initiative.
Friday’s exchange comes a day after Russia and Ukraine repatriated the remains of 277 fallen soldiers at the same Belarusian border crossing.
