Ukraine's intelligence on 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap: Work already underway
Photo: Vadym Skibitskyi, representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed during negotiations in Istanbul to carry out a prisoner exchange in a 1,000-for-1,000 format. Ukraine has already begun processing the lists of those to be returned home, Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence, stated during a briefing.
"The Russian side agreed to exchange 1,000 individuals. Starting today, we are working through the lists of those who will be brought back home," Skibitskyi said.
He noted that Ukraine has a "solid experience of working with the Russian side" on prisoner exchanges.
"That’s why we will do everything possible to ensure every Ukrainian citizen returns home. We are waiting for them and will continue working with the Russian side accordingly," the intelligence official added.
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange
Today, May 16, Ukraine and Russia held negotiations in Istanbul. Ukrainian and Russian officials spent over an hour discussing issues related to ending the war.
Following the talks, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation, stated that Ukraine and Russia could carry out a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side.
The Russian side later confirmed this as well.
