The Ministry of Defense announced the return of 82 Russian servicemen from the captivity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

As a result of the exchange with the Ukrainian side, 82 Russian servicemen returned home from captivity, reported Russian Defense Ministry in its Telegram channel.

“On December 31, as a result of the negotiation process, 82 Russian servicemen who were in mortal danger were returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime,” the report says.

The released soldiers will be taken by plane to Moscow, where they will undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

The last time the Russian military reported on the exchange of prisoners with the Armed Forces of Ukraine on December 6 – then 60 Russian servicemen returned home. Acting head of the DPR Denis Pushilin then notedthat 60 people were also returned to the Ukrainian side. Before that, on December 1, 50 Russian servicemen returned home after the exchange.

In late November, Russia and Ukraine held several exchanges of prisoners of war. Thus, on November 23, 35 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukrainian captivity, and the same number of servicemen were handed over to the Ukrainian side. On November 24, during the next exchange, the Russian side returned 50 soldiers. Exchanges according to the formula “9 for 9” took place on November 25 and 26.

Russia’s special operation in Ukraine began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the protection of the inhabitants of Donbass, as well as the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, its goals. During the special operation, Russian troops took control of the LPR, as well as most of the DPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. Subsequently, these territories became part of Russia, and on October 19 martial law was introduced in the regions.