MOSCOW, June 26 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Russia and Ukraine exchanged 160 for 160 prisoners of war, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

On June 26, a total of 160 Russian servicepeople were returned from the territory controlled by Kiev. In return, 160 prisoners of war of the armed forces of Ukraine were transferred, the statement said.

The returned Russian servicepeople are currently in Belarus, and the Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia, Yana Lantratova, is working with them, the ministry said.

For the return of Russian servicepeople from captivity, humanitarian mediation efforts were provided by the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar