Ukraine and Russia Declare the Greatest Prisoner Exchange Since the War Began

Kiev: In what authorities have referred to as the largest prisoner swap of the conflict so far, Russia and Ukraine said on Wednesday that they have each traded more than 200 captured troops.
Since Moscow invaded in February 2022, the two warring parties have exchanged hundreds of messages, but the process halted in the second half of last year.

Following negotiations facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Ukraine declared in almost simultaneous declarations that they had each received around 200 troops.

Zelensky said on Telegram that “more than 200 of our soldiers and civilians have been returned from Russian captivity,” along with a video of men in uniform rejoicing.

Since neither party had declared a settlement in over five months, Kyiv accused Moscow of purposefully obstructing agreements for political ends.

Zelensky hailed the trade as “good news” and said in a subsequent message, “There was a long pause in the exchanges, but there was no pause in the negotiations.”

According to Moscow’s defense ministry, 248 of its soldiers had returned and were receiving “medical and psychological assistance”.

According to the UAE, the agreement was a reflection of its “strong friendly relations” with Russia and Ukraine.

The number of inmates under their care is kept secret by both parties.

– Frontline attacks – According to local authorities, three people have been killed and at least one injured as a result of Russia’s ongoing bombardment on frontline regions of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia promised earlier this week to step up military operations against the nation in response to an extraordinary assault that took place over the weekend on the Russian city of Belgorod.

Vadym Filashkin, the chairman of the Donetsk region, said via Telegram that “Russians struck the city of Avdiivka with four missiles today at around 11 am (0900 GMT).”

He claimed, “A 51-year-old man died on the spot,” and that a 50-year-old lady had been hurt and was being sent to the hospital.

Avdiivka, which is near the Donetsk stronghold under Russian control, has been the scene of fierce combat for many months.

Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional leader of the Kherson area, said that two more individuals were killed by Russian shelling in villages located on the Ukrainian-controlled western bank of the Dnipro River.

As the conflict approaches its second anniversary, Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has asked his Western partners to continue their support despite increased Russian strikes.

53 people were killed by Russian troops’ round of airstrikes on Ukrainian cities last Friday, including 30 in the nation’s capital, Kyiv, according to an updated death toll released by the government on Wednesday.

According to Ukrainian army authorities, Moscow has maintained its onslaught in the vicinity of Bakhmut and Avdiivka on the eastern front as well as Kupiansk in the northeast.