Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war (POWs), with each side returning 185 people, the Russian defense ministry said.

The United Arab Emirates was the mediator in the exchange.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed this exchange. Along with the 185 servicemen, one civilian prisoner was also returned to Ukraine, he said.

The previous exchange of POWs took place on May 15, a few days after the end of a three-day ceasefire on the occasion of Victory Day anniversary. At that time, the sides transferred 205 people each.

And a day earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had issued a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which he had proposed a personal meeting to end the war "through direct dialogue." Also, he had announced that Ukraine was ready to exchange POWs on an "all for all" basis, and this could be a good prelude to the end of the war. The Kremlin has not yet responded to this letter.