Russia Ukraine swap prisoners of war as Ukraine marks independence anniversary

Russia and Ukraine exchanged over 100 prisoners of war on Saturday (August 24, 2024) as Kyiv marked its third Independence Day since Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Ukraine said the 115 servicemen who were freed were conscripts, many of whom were taken prisoner in the first months of Russia’s invasion. Among them are nearly 50 soldiers captured by Russian forces from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the 115 Russian soldiers had been captured in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces launched their surprise offensive into Russia two weeks ago. The Ministry said the soldiers were currently in Belarus but would be taken to Russia for medical treatment and rehabilitation.