Watch: Emotional homecoming for POWs freed by Russia

Ukraine and Russia carried out a new prisoner exchange on Thursday, continuing a series of swaps following recent peace talks in Istanbul.

Ukraine said most had been imprisoned for over three years, including National Guardsmen who once protected the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant and defenders of Mariupol.

“What kept me going was the hope that I was awaited at home," said one Ukrainian defender upon coming home.

Each will now receive full medical and psychological care, along with due compensation.

Russian authorities said their troops were flown to Belarus for medical and psychological support. While the numbers remain unclear, the gesture renews faint hopes for further dialogue.