Russia, Ukraine exchange POWs using '100 for 100' formula

MOSCOW. Feb 8 (Interfax) - One hundred Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian captivity as a result of talks on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"One hundred Ukrainian POWs were handed over in exchange," the ministry said in a statement.

"Military transport planes of the Russian Aerospace Forces will take the freed troops to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation at medical establishments of the Russian Defense Ministry. All those who have been freed are being given the necessary medical and psychological assistance," the statement said.

"The United Arab Emirates was involved in the return of the Russian troops as a humanitarian mediator," the Defense Ministry said.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on the previous exchange on January 31. At the time, 195 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian captivity. "One hundred and ninety-five Ukrainian soldiers were handed over in exchange," the Russian Defense Ministry said on January 31.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said at the time that the United Arab Emirates had been involved in the return of the Russian troops as a humanitarian mediator.