Ukraine on Wednesday announced the exchange of a record-high 215 imprisoned soldiers with Russia, including 10 foreigners and the commanders who led the defense of Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks earlier this year.

The foreigners released included two Britons and a Moroccan who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine. Three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian and a Swedish national were also freed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the swap, which had been under preparation for quite a long time, involved help from Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.

At the same time, Russia received 55 prisoners, including Viktor Medvedchuk, a former Ukrainian lawmaker accused of high treason, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday that 55 servicemen released in the largest prisoner exchange with Ukraine since the start of Russia's "special military operation" are now in Russia.

"All servicemen have been delivered to the territory of the Russian Federation by military transport aircraft and are in medical institutions of Russia's defense ministry," the ministry said in a statement.

(With input from agencies)