Ukraine and Russia each swapped 270 prisoners of war Friday. It was the third stage of a process that started August 19, Politico Europe and the Kyiv Independent reported. Kyiv brought home 261 military staff and nine civilians, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, per Politico Europe. Moscow's defense ministry said the 270 exchanged Russian prisoners were in Belarus, Politico Europe reported.

Most of the Ukrainians coming home had been seized in the Mariupol siege in spring 2022. They included ground, navy and air assault troops, border guards and Azov fighters, the Kyiv Independent reported. Five of the freed prisoners survived the Olenivka prison blast in July 2022. A powerful blast went off inside a barracks holding Ukrainian prisoners, the Kyiv Independent said. Zelenskyy's social post was later edited to say they were survivors, not people once thought killed.

Ukraine's prisoner office thanked the United States and the United Arab Emirates. It singled out the release of Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old English teacher from Izium who was wrongly convicted and tortured, Politico Europe reported. Dmytro Lubinets said seven more Ukrainian civilians were brought back with Ukrainian help. Another seven traveled to Russia in family reunions backed by the Red Cross, the Kyiv Independent reported. Zelenskyy and the headquarters later put the main swap at nine civilians.

A prisoner deal was brokered by President Donald Trump's team in May. It is expected to cover 2,000 prisoners in all, Politico Europe reported. The latest wave followed talks in Oslo and St. Petersburg, Politico Europe said. Lubinets called the swap historic for bringing home the largest number of jailed Ukrainian troops since 2022, the Kyiv Independent reported.

What we know: Each side freed 270 prisoners Friday. Ukraine counted 261 troops and nine civilians among those who came home.
What we don't: When the next stage of the 2,000-prisoner plan will run.