Ukraine and Russia Swap Wounded and Ill Prisoners of War

Ukraine and Russia carried out another exchange of seriously wounded and ill military personnel on Thursday, according to statements from both sides.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that all returned Ukrainian soldiers require medical care, though he did not provide specific figures.

The exchange follows recent negotiations in Istanbul, where both countries agreed to a broad deal involving prisoners of war and the remains of thousands of fallen soldiers.

Since the talks, both nations have conducted several swaps, primarily focusing on younger soldiers and those in critical medical condition. These ongoing exchanges are seen as steps toward potentially larger agreements in the future, amid the ongoing conflict sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

According to official statements, a group of Russian troops has returned from Ukraine, arriving in Belarus as part of the previously reached agreement on June 2. Authorities said the soldiers are now receiving both medical and psychological care.

Separately, Ukrainian officials reported on Wednesday that they had recovered the remains of 1,212 soldiers. In return, the bodies of 27 Russian troops were handed over.