Eighty-two of the Ukrainian prisoners were captured by Russian forces during the defense of Mariupol while all of the Russian POWs were captured during Ukraine's recent attacks in Russia's Kursk region.
"Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a post on X. "These are warriors of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy and the State Border Guard Service."
Zelensky said Ukrainian officials are "making every effort to bring them all back" from captivity in Russia.
The exchange occurred on the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union, which included Russia. The independence on Aug. 24, 1991, preceded the dissolution of the USSR on Dec. 26, 1991.
Ukraine and Russia also exchanged prisoners several months ago as the war in Ukraine enters its third year. Saturday's prisoner exchange is the seventh prisoner swap between the two warring nations.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the prisoners released by Ukraine have been moved to Belarus while the Ukrainian prisoners released are in an unreported location but in Ukrainian hands.
Ukrainian forces attacked the Kursk region on Aug. 6, which forced Russia to transfer troops from fighting in Ukraine to prevent additional losses near Kursk.
President Joe Biden since Aug. 6 announced a new military aid package for Ukraine that includes air-defense missiles, counter-drone equipment and mobile rocket systems.
Biden said the military aid affirms the United States' "unwavering support for the people of Ukraine."
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