UPD: 270 military personnel and 120 civilians were returned to Russia as part of the prisoner exchange with Ukraine, reported the Russian Ministry of Defense. Vladimir Zelensky also confirmed the exchange of 390 Russian and 390 Ukrainian prisoners. 'We are bringing our people home. The first part of the agreement on the exchange of 1000 for 1000 has been implemented. This agreement was reached at a meeting in Turkey, and it is important to implement it fully. Today — 390 people. Saturday and Sunday — we expect the continuation of the exchange,' he wrote on his Telegram channel.
The only significant result of the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul — the prisoner exchange in the '1000 for 1000' format — has begun to be implemented. The day before, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated that the country received lists of names for exchange from Russia. Meanwhile, Deputy Head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War Andrey Yusov reported that Ukraine also provided its list to Russia.
'Russia and Ukraine have just agreed to conduct a major prisoner exchange. It will happen soon,' wrote US President Donald Trump on May 23 on the social network Truth Social. Meanwhile, interlocutors of 'RBC-Ukraine' reported that the largest prisoner exchange will take place over three days.
Sources from Financial Times also reported that the exchange will stretch over several days. At the same time, the publication, citing unnamed Ukrainian officials, claims that mainly military personnel are being exchanged, but civilians will also return home.
One of the sources from FT claims that Russia did not want to release any 'high-ranking prisoners'.