Government and rebel forces have exchanged dozens of prisoners captured during fighting in Ukraine as part of a ceasefire agreement sealed earlier this month.



The transfer took place outside the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk early Friday under the watch of international observers.


UKRAINE-CRISIS/

A member of the pro-Russian rebels who had been a prisoner-of-war (POW) hugs a friend after being exchanged, north of Donetsk on Friday. (Marko Djurica/Reuters)



President Petro Poroshenko says 36 Ukrainian servicemen were released after negotiations. He says a further 21 soldiers were freed the day before.


Ukrainian forces handed over 31 rebels detained over the course of the five-month conflict.


Hundreds of prisoners are believed to be held by both sides, although no firm figure has been provided by either.


A cease-fire between separatists and the Ukrainian military took effect last Friday but has already been serially violated. Shortly after the prisoner exchange, a volley of rocket fire was heard from central Donetsk.