by & nbspemma de ruiter & nbspwith & nbspAP
It’s published
A second group of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners returned to Japan on Tuesday as part of a deal that took place during the in-person meeting in Istanbul on June 2.
The exchange begins Monday for soldiers between the ages of 18 and 25, and is focusing on seriously injured and sick Ukrainian military personnel, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram without specifying the exact number.
Among them were soldiers captured at the Battle of Mariupol over three years ago.
All of the released people said they had serious injuries and illnesses, including amputated limbs and vision problems.
Amina Ivanchenko reunited on Monday with her husband, Pow, for 18 months in her first release. She said she is grateful that Ukrainian officials have supported her.
“My struggle was much easier thanks to them. Our country will definitely return everyone. Glory to Ukraine! Thank you!”
Anastasia Nahorna was waiting in the Chernichv area to see if her husband, who has been missing for eight months, has been released in the latest swap.
“This pain can’t bear more than every day,” she said. “I really want to hear some news. From the moment he lost, unfortunately there was no information. Is he alive?
The Russian Ministry of Defense said it also received a second group of released soldiers as part of the deal.
Russian soldiers have arrived in Belarusian territory, where they receive psychological and medical assistance, the ministry said in a statement without specifying the number of soldiers exchanged.
All military personnel will be transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation, the statement added.
No schedule has been announced, but a similar exchange has been announced about the bodies of fallen soldiers held by both parties.
Two recent direct peace negotiations between Istanbul’s Russian and Ukrainian delegations did not result in any significant breakthroughs beyond the pledge to exchange prisoners with troops that would exchange thousands of dead and seriously injured troops.
