Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists have begun a mass prisoner exchange which will involve hundreds of soldiers once it is completed.
The swap, which comes about under the terms of a preliminary deal agreed between the sides in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, began with 30 captives from each side being exchanged.
In total the swap will involve 222 separatist gunmen and 150 Ukrainian troops and is due to be completed this evening.
The negotiations, facilitated by Russian and European envoys, are aimed at ironing out a broader deal that also involves a ceasefire and a troop and weapons withdrawal from the frontline that cuts across the mostly Russian-speaking industrial east of the former Soviet republic.
A Ukrainian government source said that separatists would still be folding about 500 soldiers following the exchange, with the same source suggesting the government would be willing to exchange these for separatist prisoners.
The exchange is being conducted in a neutral town that rests about 50km north of the rebel-held eastern stronghold of Donetsk.
Commanders from both sides met on an empty road and read out names from prepared lists of prisoners to be exchanged in batches of 10 from each side.
The captives were all wearing civilian clothing and clutching small bags with their belongings as they stood about 100m apart along the side of the road and waited for their names to be called.
Wednesday's agreement had required the Ukrainian side to bring 225 captives.
It was not immediately clear why three were missing from Friday
