Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war (POWs) on Thursday, informs the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD).

The first group of Russian soldiers under the age of 25 was returned Monday from the territory controlled by Kyiv. A similar exchange was held on Tuesday as well.

"On June 12 of this year, in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached in Istanbul on June 2 of this year, a group of Russian servicemen was returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In return, a group of prisoners of war from the Ukrainian armed forces was transferred," the Russian MoD said.

Currently, these Russian soldiers are in Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance.

All of them will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at MoD medical facilities.