Ukraine in talks with Russia over 'all-for-all' prisoner exchange: intelligence chief

KYIV - Kyrylo Budanov, chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, said Ukraine is in talks with Russia over an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange, local media reported Monday.

Speaking in an interview with RBC-Ukraine media outlet, Budanov said that the two countries "in principle are getting closer" to an agreement, envisaging the release of all captives by the two parties.

Since the start of prisoner exchanges, Russia has freed more than 2,220 Ukrainian captives, he noted.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, Ukraine and Russia have carried out more than 40 prisoner swaps since the first exchange in March 2022.