The operation, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, took place near the two countries' northern border and brought emotional scenes at a hospital in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, where freed prisoners were received.
Ukrainian families arrived carrying flags and photographs of missing loved ones, desperate for news. Some came hoping someone among the returnees had seen their relatives in captivity.
Meanwhile, Russian officials said that 205 Russian prisoners who were being held in Ukraine have been released back to Russia.
