China News Service, June 30. According to a report by "Russia Today", Russia and Ukraine had the largest exchange of prisoners of war since the conflict on the 29th, with each side handing over 144 prisoners.
Reuters said Ukraine's military intelligence agency said 95 of the 144 Ukrainian soldiers who were released included 95 defenders of the Azov steel plant in Mariupol.
Earlier reports said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 20 that the Russian army had completed the operation of the Azov Steel Plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, and "liberated" Mariupol.
The spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Defense also stated that since May 16, more than 2,000 armed personnel of the Ukrainian military force "Azov Battalion" and Ukrainian soldiers who were besieged at the Azov Steel Plant have surrendered.