Russia and Ukraine swap over 300 prisoners amid massive aerial assault
On Sunday, Russia and Ukraine engaged in a significant prisoner swap, marking a rare moment of cooperation between the two countries amidst ongoing conflict. The exchange of more than 300 soldiers was the final part of a major exchange that began on Friday, with a total of 307 combatants and civilians released each day.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, confirmed the exchange, stating that 303 Ukrainian defenders had returned home. The troops released were members of various Ukrainian defense forces, including the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service.
The prisoner swap followed talks in Istanbul earlier in the month, where Kyiv and Moscow agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war and civilian detainees each. This exchange has been the only tangible outcome from recent peace talks between the two sides.
However, the prisoner swap came just hours after Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, targeting the capital city of Kyiv and other regions. The attack, which included drones and missiles, resulted in at least 12 casualties, including three children, and numerous injuries.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that air defense forces were actively working against enemy drones in the capital, while the head of the Kharkiv military administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported similar attacks in Kharkiv and its suburbs.
Ukraine’s Air Force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, revealed that Russia utilized 69 missiles and 298 drones in the attack, making it the largest single aerial assault of the war. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have shot down 110 Ukrainian drones in response.
President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of Russia’s actions, stating that he was “not happy” with Putin’s large-scale strike against Ukraine. Trump accused Putin of “killing a lot of people” and criticized both Putin and Zelenskyy for their roles in the conflict.
Overall, the prisoner swap and aerial assault highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Despite moments of cooperation, the conflict continues to escalate, with both sides facing significant challenges in achieving lasting peace.
