A new group of Russian servicemen, including two from the Ural region, has returned from Ukrainian captivity following an exchange. This was announced by Tatyana Merzlyakova, the Sverdlovsk Ombudsman for Human Rights.

According to Merzlyakova, a total of five residents of the Sverdlovsk region have been returned to the country over the past three days. The first serviceman returned on June 9, followed by two more on June 10.

The released servicemen will undergo rehabilitation and continue their service, but not on the front lines. They are currently receiving psychological and medical assistance in the Republic of Belarus before being transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the exchange, stating it occurred in accordance with agreements reached in Istanbul on June 2. The exchange involved the return of Russian servicemen from territory controlled by Kyiv in exchange for Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war.

Merzlyakova expressed gratitude to everyone involved in facilitating the exchange. The agreement for the exchange was initially reached during Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul.

Another exchange took place on May 6, where 205 servicemen were exchanged by each side. Four of those were from the Sverdlovsk region, leading to the return of eight more Sverdlovsk residents at that time.