Russia and Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange at the border between the two countries

RIA Novosti news agency quoted Russian Major General Alexei Ragozin as saying that on August 31, at the Nekhoteyevka border gate, Ukraine handed over a group of paratroopers previously captured to Russia, in return Russia also handed over to Ukraine 63 of its soldiers who crossed the border into Russia last week.

Russian paratroopers captured by Ukraine. (Source: AFP)

Major General Ragozin, commander of Russia's paratroopers, said the group of paratroopers were returned to Russia after "difficult" negotiations.

Mr. Ragozin added that immediately after the Russian paratroopers were detained, the Russian government did everything possible to quickly return them to the country. Mr. Ragozin also accused the Ukrainian side of holding the Russian soldiers for too many days, which is unacceptable.

Last week, Ukraine announced the capture of 10 Russian paratroopers and published the information in the press as evidence that the Russian army was fighting alongside the forces demanding federalization in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has denied the accusation and said the group of soldiers accidentally passed through an unmarked area.

According to VNA