Russia and Ukraine concluded their largest prisoner exchange since the conflict began in 2022, with 303 prisoners returned to each side on Sunday. The swap, mediated by Türkiye during talks in Istanbul last month, marks a significant step in ongoing diplomatic efforts to address humanitarian concerns amid the war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the release of military personnel, border guards, and transport service members via social media. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that freed Russian soldiers are receiving medical and psychological support in the Republic of Belarus. This follows earlier exchanges of 270 soldiers and 120 civilians on Friday, and a 307-for-307 military swap on Saturday.
Since the conflict began, 65 prisoner exchanges have occurred, with this week’s three-day operation being the sixth such effort in 2024. The May 16 Istanbul agreement initially outlined plans to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, signaling cautious optimism for further negotiations.
