Russia announced Monday the completion of the first phase of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, following an agreement reached during the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul last week.

 

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, a group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 were transferred from Ukrainian-controlled territories to Belarus. The ministry did not specify the number of returnees but stated that an equal number of Ukrainian soldiers were released in exchange.

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the exchange process is underway and will continue in stages over the coming days.

 

"In this first group, we are receiving wounded soldiers, including those severely injured, as well as troops under 25," Zelensky wrote in a post on social media.

 

The exchange marks a rare instance of cooperation amid the ongoing conflict, with both sides signaling a willingness to continue talks, despite persistent hostilities on the ground.