Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on May 15 under a “205 for 205” formula. This was reported by TASS, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.
“Russian servicemen are currently on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance,” the ministry said.
The United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation efforts. The Russian servicemen are expected to be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at Defense Ministry medical facilities.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed the exchange.
“205 Ukrainians are back home. Today, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service are returning from Russian captivity. This is the first stage of the ‘1,000 for 1,000’ exchange. Among those released are privates, sergeants and officers. Most of them had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. They defended Ukraine in Mariupol and at Azovstal, as well as in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kyiv directions, and at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant,” he said.
“Thank you to everyone working to bring our people home, first and foremost our warriors who replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine, and our team. Thank you to all partners helping to free Ukrainians from captivity. We will continue fighting for every man and woman who remains imprisoned,” the Ukrainian leader added.
Earlier, the United States announced a ceasefire for May 9, 10 and 11, as well as a planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.
Prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia are usually held at the Novaya Huta checkpoint on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
