Overview

• The Defense Ministry said 185 Ukrainian POWs were handed to Kyiv in exchange for 185 Russian servicemembers, with 20 civilians also returned to Russia.
• Returnees were first brought to Belarus for initial assistance and are expected to continue treatment and rehabilitation in Russian medical facilities.
• Official footage showed soldiers calling relatives to confirm they had been exchanged and were in stable condition.
• One serviceman said his partner is pregnant and that he had a minor injury, describing relief at being out of captivity.
• RT published a video of a returning soldier reciting a poem for his mother and speaking about undergoing a medical review after his wound.