Russia and Ukraine have kicked off a big prisoner swap on Friday, as announced by the Russian Defense Ministry. Each side is expected to exchange about 1,000 soldiers at the Ukraine-Belarus border. So far, 270 Russian soldiers and 120 civilians have been swapped for 270 Ukrainian soldiers and 120 civilians. The exchange is set to continue in the coming days, with both countries working to bring their people home.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the effort, stating, “We are bringing our people home.” He mentioned that the first stage of the ‘1000-for-1000’ exchange agreement has been completed. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of verifying every detail about each person to ensure all those in captivity are returned. The Russian soldiers and civilians involved in the swap are currently in Belarus, receiving necessary psychological and medical assistance.
The prisoner exchange was arranged following peace talks in Istanbul last week, marking the first direct talks between the two sides since 2022. While the meeting did not lead to a ceasefire, both parties agreed to the prisoner swap. Throughout Russia’s invasion, such exchanges have occurred, but this swap will be the largest to date once finalized. Despite ongoing efforts to negotiate a ceasefire, fierce fighting and drone attacks continue between Russia and Ukraine.
