Russia announced the completion of the first phase of its prisoner exchange with Ukraine, which was postponed last weekend amid mutual accusations of hindering the process.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not disclose the number of prisoners involved but confirmed that both sides exchanged the same number. Kremlin advisor Vladimir Medinsky mentioned that Russia handed over an initial list of 640 prisoners of war to Ukraine.

The Russian military stated that the freed prisoners are currently receiving psychological and medical support in Belarus before being transferred to Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the exchanges as “complex” and ongoing in multiple phases.