ANKARA/MOSCOW/OSLO - Türkiye's intelligence agency on Thursday coordinated a prisoner exchange operation in the capital Ankara, which involved the exchange of 26 individuals from the prisons of seven different countries, the semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The hostages of the United States, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, Russia, and Belarus were transferred to Türkiye by seven planes, including two from the United States and one each from Germany, Poland, Norway, Slovenia, and Russia, the agency reported.

Ten out of all the hostages, including two children, were reportedly transferred to Russia, 13 hostages to Germany, and three to the United States, it said.

READ MORE: Russia, Ukraine swap prisoners captured in conflict

It has been the most comprehensive prisoner exchange operation between the United States, Russia and Germany in recent years, and the establishment of dialogue channels for the operation was ensured by the Turkish intelligence, Anadolu quoted anonymous security sources as saying.

The parties were brought together in Türkiye in July as part of the efforts conducted by the Turkish intelligence agency, it said, adding that negotiations were held for the prisoner exchange.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed that eight Russians detained and held in custody in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries have been returned to Russia.

"On August 1, 2024, as a result of the exchange held at the airport of Ankara (Türkiye), eight Russian citizens detained and imprisoned in a number of NATO countries, as well as minors, were returned to their homeland," the FSB said in a statement.

ALSO READ: Putin says to counter US missile deployment in Germany

The Russians were exchanged for a group of people who acted in the interests of foreign states to the detriment of Russia's security, the FSB added.

TASS News Agency reported that President Vladimir Putin personally welcomed the return of Russian citizens at Moscow's Vnukovo-2 Airport.

The report said a special flight carrying the Russians arrived at the airport with a red carpet and a guard of honor from the Presidential Regiment awaited.

Putin greeted each individual with a handshake or a hug. Among those he welcomed was Vadim Krasikov, who was released by Germany.

ALSO READ: Ukraine, Russia carry out largest prisoner swap, first since Aug

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and Federal Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov, who accompanied Putin, also greeted the returning Russians.

Putin delivered a brief speech at the airport, expressing gratitude for the loyalty of the released Russians and congratulating them on their return.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Norway played a role in the prisoner swap.

READ MORE: Kremlin calls increased NATO presence in Black Sea ‘threat’

"Human rights activists and journalists, several of them political prisoners, are now coming out of Russia. I am happy that we have been able to contribute so these people don't have to serve further sentences in Russian prisons," he said.

The prime minister also confirmed that the exchange includes Mikhail Mikusjin, who was arrested in Tromso, northern Norway, in 2022 on espionage charges.