Russia and Ukraine Exchange Prisoners of War Again, including from the Olenivka and Azovstal Camps

Ukrainian war prisoners who were successfully released in exchange with Russia. (Twitter/@AndriyYermak)

JAKARTA - Russia, and Ukraine said they had exchanged 60 prisoners of war on each side in the latest series of exchanges on Tuesday.

In the video shared by the ministry, men in military clothing can be seen getting off the bus and making phone calls.

"All is well, alive and well. I will be home soon," said one man, according to Reuters, December 6.

Ukraine's presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak hailed the Ukrainian people who returned as heroes. He said they were among dozens of people holding out in the city of Mariupol, including the besieged Azovstal steel factory, until Russia forced its surrender in May.

"We are continuing to repatriate the defenders of Mariupol, on today's '60 list' there are 34 of them, including 14 from Azovstal. Several were injured, and will receive all the necessary assistance in Ukraine," Yermak explained.

Some of those freed have been detained on Russian territory and others in Olenivka, a prisoner of war camp in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine, he said.

Ukraine accused Russia in July of war crimes with an attack on Olenivka that killed dozens of prisoners. Instead, Russia said Ukraine had shelled the camp.

Meanwhile, Russia's Defense Ministry said 60 freed Russian soldiers would be flown to Moscow to receive medical treatment and psychological support.

"On December 6, 60 Russian soldiers who were facing death danger in detention were brought back from the territory controlled by the Kyv regime as a result of the negotiation process," the ministry said in a statement, citing TASS.

Military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces will deliver all the liberated servicemen to Moscow for medical treatment and recovery at the Ministry of Defense medical institutions. All the soldiers who were released received the necessary medical and psychological assistance, the ministry assured.

The two sides have exchanged hundreds of prisoners in a series of exchanges in recent months.

Another successful POWs swap. Symbolically, it took place on the Armed Forces Day. 60 people are coming home. Among them are army servicemen, the National and Border Guards. pic.twitter.com/EoNCEbTiht

— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) December 6, 2022