The Russian Defense Ministry announced the fulfillment of the agreements reached in Istanbul on the exchange

The agreements reached in Istanbul by Russia and Ukraine regarding the exchange of prisoners have been fully implemented. This was announced on May 25 by Deputy Head of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexander Fomin.

He said that on that day, another 303 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by Kiev, and they are currently in Belarus, receiving all necessary assistance.

In total, 880 Russian military personnel and 120 civilians were returned within three days, Fomin noted.

"The agreements reached in Istanbul on May 16 regarding the exchange have been fully implemented. We hope that the large—scale prisoner exchange initiated by Russia will help create a favorable atmosphere for discussing the conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," the deputy head of the Russian Defense Ministry stressed.

Good background rules: how a large-scale prisoner exchange affects the dialogue between Moscow and Kiev

At the first stage, 390 military personnel and civilians each return to Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defense released footage of the final stage of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine as part of the agreements reached by the parties in Istanbul. The soldiers released from captivity expressed their gratitude for the rescue.