Russia, Ukraine begin exchange of prisoners

Moscow, Kyiv exchange 390 prisoners each; both sides expected to swap a total of 1,000 inmates each over the weekend; exchange takes place on the border with Belarus.

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Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner exchange on Friday, swapping hundreds of soldiers and civilians in the first phase of an exchange that was a moment of cooperation in otherwise failed efforts to reach a ceasefire in the 3-year-old war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the first phase of the exchange brought home 390 Ukrainians, including soldiers and civilians, with further releases expected over the weekend that will make it the largest swap of the war. Russia's Defence Ministry said it had received the same number from Ukraine.

“It's very important to bring everyone home,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, thanking all who worked to secure their return and pledging to continue diplomatic efforts to make more exchanges possible.

Dozens of relatives of prisoners cheered and chanted “Thank you!” as buses carrying the freed captives arrived at a medical facility in Ukraine's Chernihiv region.

The men, some with expressionless faces and others unable to contain their emotions, got off the buses wrapped in Ukrainian flags.

Kyiv and Moscow agreed in Istanbul last week to the exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side in their first direct peace talks since the early weeks of Russia's 2022 invasion.