Prisoner exchange with Russia: Coordination Headquarters identifies two main directions

"Negotiations with the opposing side on prisoner exchanges are ongoing continuously. We are working in two main directions – the return of our citizens in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul, as well as under the numbered exchange scheme," Okhrimenko said.

He recalled that according to the Istanbul agreements, Ukraine is to receive back the severely wounded, the seriously ill, as well as young people under the age of 25.

"Today’s exchanges are mixed – we are bringing back both those who fall under the Istanbul criteria and those we managed to agree upon during negotiations," the head of the Secretariat of the Coordination Headquarters explained.

Also, according to him, during the negotiation process, the Coordination Headquarters pays attention to the issue of returning civilian persons. Okhrimenko emphasized that the exchange process is complex and lengthy, but it produces concrete results.

Prisoner exchange in October

Ukraine and Russia, on Thursday, October 2, conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 185 defenders returned home.

These are soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. They defended Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022. Along with the soldiers, 20 civilians were also returned.

It is noted that this prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia was a combined one. One part of it was carried out in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, and the other part was the 69th exchange.