On Saturday, Russia and Ukraine restarted negotiations in Istanbul, agreeing to release 1,200 prisoners and paving the way for further exchanges.
Istanbul Talks Yield 1,200 Releases
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerow announced that the parties had agreed to launch the Istanbul agreements, which concerned the release of 1,200 Ukrainians.
Consultations Continue to Finalise Procedure
Umerow said consultations would continue shortly to settle procedural and organisational details, stressing that Ukraine’s returnees could celebrate New Year and Christmas at home with family.
Overall Swaps Since Invasion: 6,235 Freed
Secretary of the Coordination Staff and brigade general Dmytro Usov reported that, since the Russian attack, 69 exchanges had freed 6,235 Ukrainian citizens, while remaining prisoners are held at nearly 300 sites across Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories.
