Russia's Defense Ministry reports that 270 military personnel and 120 civilians have returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange agreed upon with Ukraine in Istanbul.
"On May 23, in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on May 16 in Istanbul, 270 Russian servicemen, as well as 120 civilians, including civilians captured by the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region, were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In return, 270 prisoners of war of the armed forces of Ukraine and 120 civilians were transferred back," the statement said.
A large-scale prisoners swap initiated by Russia is planned to continue in the coming days, the ministry said.
"Currently, Russian military personnel and civilians are in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance. All Russian military personnel and civilians will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions," the ministry said.