Ukraine Recovers 390 War Prisoners in First Stage of 1000-for-1000 Swap

Ukraine and Russia have carried out the first part of the 1000-for-1000 exchange agreement, under which Kyiv managed to return 390 people.

The Gaze reports on this with reference to a post on social media by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

"The first part of the agreement on the 1000-for-1000 exchange has been implemented. This agreement was reached at a meeting in Turkey, and it is important to implement it in full. Today we have 390 people. We expect the exchange to continue on Saturday and Sunday," the Ukrainian leader said.

According to the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters, 270 servicemen and 120 civilians have been released from captivity.  

"270 defenders are returning home - these are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Navy, Airborne Forces, the Army, the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine... Among those liberated today are 3 women and 387 men," they said.

As The Gaze reported earlier, during the talks in Istanbul, Ukraine and Russia discussed the ceasefire and humanitarian issues, as well as a possible meeting at the level of leaders. In particular, they agreed to exchange prisoners in the format of "1000 for 1000".