Russia and Ukraine exchange 103 prisoners of war each
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each, with Ukrainian intelligence expecting another swap before month-end.
Kyiv, Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, officials from both sides said.
Prisoner exchange
Kyiv and Moscow have conducted regular prisoner exchanges during the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, while remaining far apart on the terms of a possible peace agreement.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram that the Ukrainians returning home included personnel from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard.
Interfax news agency cited the Russian Ministry of Defence as confirming the exchange on the Russian side.
Accounts from returning soldiers
Dmytro, 29, a Ukrainian prisoner of war for three years, told Reuters he was pleased to have returned home.
“It’s a wonderful day. I’ve returned home. I haven’t done anything heroic, and I don’t consider myself special,” he said.
He appealed to the families of prisoners still being held to continue believing and not lose hope.
Anton Tymofienko, 43, who returned after 28 months in captivity, said prisoners had received letters from relatives but otherwise had little information. Neither man provided details of where he had fought.
Further exchange expected
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, Oleh Ivashchenko, said another exchange was expected before the end of the month.
He said Ukraine expected the next swap to include defenders held for prolonged periods, including those who fought in the defence of Mariupol, the port city besieged by Russia early in the war.
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