The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video recording of the return of 246 Russian servicemen released from Ukrainian captivity as part of an exchange conducted on April 19, 2025. The exchange was carried out according to the formula "246 for 246", which makes it one of the largest during the conflict. In addition, as a humanitarian gesture, Ukraine handed over 15 seriously wounded servicemen to Russia, and Moscow, in turn, returned 31 wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv. The footage published by the Russian Defense Ministry shows how the released Russian servicemen are met in Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance.

According to the department, the returned Russian servicemen are in Belarus, where they have been given the opportunity to contact their relatives. After the initial examination and provision of the necessary assistance, they will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in the medical institutions of the Ministry of Defense. The exchange was the result of complex negotiations, in which the United Arab Emirates played a key mediating role.

This exchange was the fourth since the beginning of 2025 and the largest in terms of the number of returned servicemen. The previous exchange took place on March 19 under the formula "175 for 175", at which time Ukraine received 22 seriously wounded soldiers. According to Reuters, since the beginning of the conflict, with the mediation of the UAE, the parties have exchanged more than 3200 prisoners, which underlines the importance of international participation in humanitarian processes. The agency notes that the exchange on April 19 was announced the day before, and its preparation was carried out in conditions of strict secrecy in order to avoid disruption of the agreements.