The returned servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance. They will later be transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the exchange was facilitated by intermediaries from the United Arab Emirates and the United States. The agreement to conduct the exchange was reached during meetings of delegations from Russia, Ukraine, and the USA that took place in Abu Dhabi on February 4 and 5. The American side characterized the negotiations as productive. The first round of discussions took place on January 23 and 24.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff previously announced the prisoner exchange, emphasizing that this would be the first such case in the last five months, during which a total of 314 people were returned.
The day after the negotiations began, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced an imminent prisoner exchange.
