Russia and Ukraine carried out a significant prisoner exchange on Saturday, bringing home 307 soldiers from each side. This swap followed a previous release of 390 combatants and civilians just a day earlier. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the news on his Telegram channel, expressing hope for more exchanges in the coming days. This ongoing effort marks one of the largest swaps since the conflict began over three years ago.
The prisoner exchange took place amid heightened tensions, as Kyiv faced a major drone and missile attack that injured at least 15 people. Residents of the capital sought shelter in subway stations as explosions and anti-aircraft fire echoed through the city. The assault involved 14 ballistic missiles and around 250 Shahed drones, with Ukrainian forces successfully intercepting six missiles and downing 245 drones.
This exchange is part of a broader agreement made during peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month, where both sides committed to swapping 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees. However, the recent violence underscores the ongoing challenges in achieving a lasting ceasefire.
Ukrainian officials described the night as “difficult,” with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha calling for increased sanctions on Russia to push for peace. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the attacks, stating they demonstrated Russia’s lack of interest in peace.
The strikes in Kyiv were among the most extensive to date, with debris from intercepted missiles and drones causing damage across several districts. The hardest hit area was Obolon, where a residential building was severely damaged, and multiple injuries were reported. Local authorities indicated that the air raid alert lasted over seven hours, warning residents of incoming threats.
In a separate series of attacks across Ukraine, 13 civilians lost their lives, and additional strikes targeted port infrastructure in Odesa. Russian officials claimed these strikes were aimed at military targets, including missile and drone production facilities.
Despite the prisoner swap offering some hope for families of the missing, fighting continues along the front lines. Both sides remain entrenched in their positions, with little sign of a breakthrough in peace negotiations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned that Moscow would present Ukraine with a draft document outlining its conditions for a comprehensive peace agreement once the prisoner exchanges conclude.
As the conflict drags on, European leaders have criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for his reluctance to engage in meaningful peace talks while pursuing military objectives in Ukraine. The situation remains tense, with both sides preparing for continued hostilities.