Russia and Ukraine Conduct Prisoner Exchange, Including Azov Brigade Commanders

Ukrainian media reports that Russia and Ukraine have conducted a prisoner exchange. The exchange included those who participated in the battles at Azovstal, namely Sviatoslav Palamar, Serhiy Volynskyi, and Denys Prokopenko (commanders of the Azov Brigade).

President Zelensky has established contact with the Azov Brigade commanders who were exchanged from Russian captivity. He expressed gratitude for their service and stated that the hardest part is over. This information has been reported by the BBC.

In addition, Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, commented on the exchange: 'We exchanged our 200 heroes for Viktor Medvedchuk, who has already disclosed everything possible.'

It should be noted that Medvedchuk is a Ukrainian opposition figure close to President Putin. According to published figures, Kyiv managed to exchange 215 prisoners, among them 100 fighters from Azovstal.

The exchange took place through a third country, Saudi Arabia.

Notably, 5 commanders from Azovstal will not be able to return to Ukraine; they will remain in Turkey until the end of military operations. These are the conditions of the exchange with the Russian Federation. They will be under personal guard of Turkish President Erdogan and will also be able to hold personal meetings.