OREANDA-NEWS  Russia and Ukraine on Thursday held the next stage of the prisoner exchange within the framework of the Istanbul agreements, a source in the Russian negotiating group told RIA Novosti.

"The next stage of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has just taken place within the framework of the Istanbul agreements," he said.

The Ministry of Defense confirmed the exchange. The returned Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus. They receive the necessary psychological and medical assistance. The Ministry also showed footage of the returned Russian military: several dozen people holding flags and shouting: "Russia!".