MOSCOW, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine exchanged 185 prisoners of war (POWs) each under an agreement reached during recent talks in Istanbul, the Russian Defense Ministry said Thursday.

In line with the Russian-Ukrainian agreement struck on July 23, 185 Russian servicemen have been repatriated from territory controlled by Kiev. In return, the Russian side has released 185 Ukrainian POWs, said the ministry.

Additionally, 20 Russian civilians have been returned from areas under Kiev's control, the ministry added.

The repatriated Russian servicemen and civilians are now in Belarus, receiving medical and psychological support, before being transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation, it noted.