Moscow, June 11 -- A second group of Russian prisoners of war (POWs) has been released from Ukrainian captivity following a major prisoner swap agreement between Moscow and Kiev in Istanbul last week, Russia Today reported citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

According to Russia Today, while the Defense Ministry did not disclose the exact number of servicemen returned, it released a video showing the freed soldiers draped in Russian flags preparing to board buses. The soldiers are currently receiving psychological and medical assistance in Belarus and will be transferred to Russian military hospitals for rehabilitation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange, describing it as "the first stage" of a swap involving ...