Russia and Ukraine exchange 185 prisoners of war each following Istanbul peace talks

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 185 prisoners of war each following an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul on July 23, the Russian Defence Ministry said today. Additionally, 20 Russian civilians were returned from Ukrainian-controlled areas. The exchange, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, marks the latest in a series of prisoner swaps. In August, the two countries exchanged 146 prisoners, with Ukraine also returning eight Russian civilians from the briefly occupied Kursk region. The July peace talks, the third round held in Istanbul, saw both sides agree to eventually exchange at least 1,200 prisoners each. Earlier talks in May and June focused on seriously ill, wounded, and young soldiers, as well as the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ remains.