Russia has repatriated 84 soldiers from Ukraine
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August 14, 2025, marked the latest round of prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides releasing 84 prisoners each, including military personnel and civilians. The exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, and the released Russian servicemen are reported to be receiving psychological and medical assistance.
According to Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian negotiating group, the second exchange was complicated and the third stage delayed due to Ukraine's refusal to exchange 1000 prisoners of Ukrainian servicemen, as initially agreed upon in the Istanbul talks. Medinsky clarified that out of 1000 prisoners who appealed to Ukrainian President Zelensky, the Ukrainian side accepted only 2.
Negotiations continue in the Istanbul format, but major progress and higher-level summit meetings remain pending, contributing to delays in prisoner exchanges and peace talks. The broader context includes ongoing complex negotiations and political hurdles around direct talks between Putin and Zelensky, with some Kremlin officials portraying the situation as Ukraine and the West hindering progress.
As the released Russian servicemen return to their homeland, they will be transported to Russian military medical facilities for treatment and rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, it was reported that rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit Kuzbass this weekend, and Russians are currently in Belarus, receiving psychological and medical assistance. Additionally, the US has sent troops to the southern part of the Caribbean Sea, though this is not directly related to the ongoing prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
[1] Kommersant (2025). "Russia and Ukraine exchange 84 prisoners each in latest swap." Kommersant. https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4767219
[2] Interfax (2025). "UAE mediates in prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine." Interfax. https://www.interfax.ru/russia/819716
[3] TASS (2025). "Russian servicemen receiving psychological and medical assistance after prisoner exchange." TASS. https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/13487193
[4] The Guardian (2025). "US sends troops to southern Caribbean Sea." The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/12/us-sends-troops-to-southern-caribbean-sea
[5] BBC News (2025). "Kremlin officials accuse Ukraine and West of hindering prisoner exchange progress." BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61845756
- Amidst the ongoing war-and-conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, political discussions continue in the Istanbul format, with the society closely monitoring the progress of prisoner exchanges and peace talks.
- General news outlets frequently cover the complex negotiations and political hurdles around direct talks between Putin and Zelensky, shedding light on the broader implications for both societies, including the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics.
