Russia and Ukraine exchanged 307 prisoners of war each on Saturday, marking the second day of what is expected to be the largest prisoner swap in the three-year conflict. The ongoing exchange is set to involve the release of 1,000 prisoners on both sides over a three-day period. The first phase of the swap occurred Friday, when 390 prisoners were exchanged, including 120 civilians.
Saturday’s exchange came hours after Kyiv endured a Russian overnight attack involving drones and ballistic missiles, injuring 15 people. The swap agreement was reached during brief talks in Istanbul on May 16, arranged at US President Donald Trump’s urging.
Trump, who has reportedly played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the talks, suggested the swap could mark a turning point in stalled peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
The exchange was confirmed by Russia’s defence ministry and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who wrote on Telegram, “Tomorrow we expect more. Our goal is to return each and every one of us from Russian captivity.”
Images released by Zelenskyy’s office showed Ukrainian soldiers returning home, some visibly emotional, wrapped in the national flag and embracing one another. At the rendezvous point, they were handed cellphones to call loved ones. “I can’t believe I’m home,” one returnee said.
A brief video from Russia’s defence ministry depicted its service personnel disembarking buses and proudly posing with the Russian, Soviet Union and Russian Empire flags.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Russia could hand Ukraine a draft long-term peace deal once the current prisoner exchange concludes.
(With inputs from agencies)