Russia and Ukraine conducted a large-scale prisoner exchange on Saturday, each side returning 307 soldiers following a previous release of 390 combatants and civilians. This swap marks the largest exchange since the start of the war over three years ago and reflects a rare moment of cooperation despite ongoing hostilities. Both sides expect further exchanges soon as part of a broader deal reached during recent peace talks.
Hours before the prisoner swap, Kyiv faced a massive Russian assault involving 14 ballistic missiles and 250 Shahed drones. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted a significant number of these attacks, yet debris and explosions caused damage across multiple districts, including residential areas. At least 15 people were injured, with some fires breaking out in the Obolon district, one of the hardest hit.
Global officials condemned the Russian strikes. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called for increased sanctions to pressure Moscow into peace. The UK’s Foreign Secretary described the attack as terror against civilians, while the EU ambassador to Kyiv labeled it horrific. These statements highlighted the international community’s view that such actions undermine any genuine effort toward peace.
Prisoner Swap Brings Hope Amid Ongoing Fighting and Uncertain Peace Talks
The prisoner swap took place near the Belarus-Ukraine border, with released Russian prisoners sent to Belarus for medical care. The exchange was part of a complex agreement for 1,000 prisoners each side to swap. For families of missing soldiers, the release offered bittersweet hope, providing new information about loved ones still unaccounted for, though many were not yet reunited.
Mass Prisoner Exchange Offers Brief Respite as Missile Strikes Intensify War in UkraineDespite the prisoner exchange, fighting continues along a long front line, with no ceasefire in sight. After the Istanbul talks, officials described the swap as a confidence-building step, but no new peace talks are scheduled, and key disagreements remain unresolved. Russia plans to submit a draft peace proposal once the prisoner exchange concludes, but the next meeting’s timing and location remain undecided.
Persistent Conflict Deepens as Kyiv and Moscow Clash Over Peace Terms
The Istanbul meeting revealed major gaps between Kyiv and Moscow on critical peace terms. Ukraine and its Western allies insist on a temporary ceasefire as a precursor to broader negotiations, while Russia pursues military gains on the battlefield. Russian forces also countered with strikes on Ukrainian drone facilities and shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones in western and southern Russia.
Russian missile and drone attacks continue to threaten civilian areas, with recent strikes killing at least 13 people in Ukraine’s south, east, and north regions. A missile targeting port infrastructure in Odesa killed three and was claimed by Russia to have hit a military cargo ship. Ukrainian officials report ongoing damage to industrial and military facilities on both sides, underscoring the persistent intensity of the conflict.