Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners, each country handed over 50 soldiers, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense and the office of Volodymyr Zelensky. Later, information appeared that 52 people were extradited to Ukraine. According to the head of Zelensky’s office, Andriy Yermak, among the 52 people who returned are the head of the surgical department of the Mariupol military hospital, who participated in the battles for Azovstal, and a sailor from Zmeiny Island.
The Russian Ministry of Defense officially reports 50 returned prisoners, but Channel One TV presenter Anastasia Kashevarova published 52 names. Ukraine publishes recordings of the return of the military, in one of the videos they throw away sets of rations from the “Army of Russia”.
On October 26, it was reported that another 10 captured servicemen returned to Ukraine, including one officer, 9 privates and sergeants. The largest exchange for Ukraine was the exchange of Putin's godfather Viktor Medvedchuk for 215 captured Ukrainians, including 108 Azov defenders.
The exchange was sharply criticized by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, who expressed resentment that he had not been consulted. He called the exchange on Ukrainian terms wrong and unacceptable. According to him, due to the decision of the Ministry of Defense, the fighters who "liberated Mariupol" and are now on the front line, draw a conclusion and do not take prisoners. In conclusion, Kadyrov added that this is his personal opinion, which does not affect "the main unshakable principle of carrying out any orders of Vladimir Putin."
