And new group prisoners of war was exchanged on Monday between kyiv and Moscow, as agreed last week during a second cycle of Russian-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul. And he will continue in the “next days,” said the Ukrainian president. At this point, the number of combatants concerned is unknown.
“A first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 has been repatriated from the territory under the control of the kyiv regime. In exchange, the same number of soldiers from the Ukrainian army has been transferred, “the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, without specifying the number of soldiers exchanged.
Almost daily negotiations
“The exchange has started today and will take place in several stages in the coming days,” said Volodymyr Zelensky On social networks, specifying that “the process (was) quite complex” and that “negotiations continue practically every day”.
Our people are home.
Ukrainians are returning home from Russian captivity. Today, an exchange began, which will continue in several stages over the coming days.
Among those we are bringing back now are the wounded, the severely wounded, and those under the age of 25. The process… pic.twitter.com/tEmJctz5ON– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) June 9, 2025
“Among those that we are currently repatriating are the injured, the seriously injured and people under the age of 25,” kyiv leader detailed. We do everything to repatriate each person. We work there at all levels. We have to repatriate all those who are still in captivity. I thank everyone who helps us. »»
Zelensky accused Russia on Sunday of “playing a dirty game”
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of playing a “dirty and political” game around the next exchange of prisoners, which Moscow and kyiv accuse each other of disturbing.
“The Russian part, as usual, is trying to play a dirty and political game,” said the Ukrainian in his evening speech, adding that if Russia did not comply with the agreement, it would “throw great doubt” on diplomatic efforts aimed at putting an end to a war that has lasted for more than three years.
THE two belligerents had already exchanged some 1000 people From each camp, soldiers and civilians, after the first cycle of direct negotiations in Istanbul, in May. The two countries are far from a ceasefire or a lasting conflict settlement.
