Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — In a significant development on Ukraine’s Independence Day, Russia and Ukraine conducted a major prisoner of war (POW) exchange, with over 100 prisoners freed by each side. This exchange marks the 55th since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Ukraine announced the release of 115 Ukrainian servicemen, many of whom were conscripts captured during the early stages of the invasion. Notably, nearly 50 of these soldiers were taken prisoner during the intense battle for the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported the return of 115 Russian soldiers who had been captured in the Kursk region, following Ukraine’s surprise offensive into Russian territory two weeks ago. The Russian soldiers were initially taken to Belarus for medical treatment before being transported back to Russia for further rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United Arab Emirates had once again brokered the exchange. He shared photos on social media showing the newly released Ukrainian servicemen, many appearing gaunt and wrapped in Ukrainian flags. “We remember each one. We are searching and doing our best to get everyone back,” Zelenskyy said in his post.
This exchange occurred against the backdrop of continued conflict, with both sides still engaged in hostilities and ongoing drone and artillery attacks. Ukrainian officials reported that five people were killed and five others wounded in Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, located in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. In the southern city of Kherson, Russian shelling killed two people, including a baby, and wounded four others. Additional attacks were reported in the Sumy region, where Russian drones and artillery killed three people.
Ukraine’s air force announced the interception and destruction of seven Russian drones over the country’s southern regions, while Russia claimed its air defenses shot down seven Ukrainian drones overnight, including in the Voronezh, Belgorod, Bryansk, and Kursk regions.
As Ukraine marked its 33rd Independence Day, no large-scale celebrations were held. Instead, the day was observed with solemn commemorations for the soldiers and civilians who have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict. In a ceremony, President Zelenskyy revealed that Ukraine had successfully deployed a new domestically produced missile drone, named “Palyanitsa,” for the first time against Russian forces, describing the event as a “successful combat use” without providing further details.
In a show of solidarity, Polish President Andrzej Duda visited Kyiv, marking his fifth visit to Ukraine since the war began. His visit underscores Poland’s continued support for Ukraine, despite recent tensions over a trade dispute concerning Ukrainian grain and historical grievances. Poland has played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine, providing arms and serving as a hub for Western weapons while hosting tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
The prisoner exchange and the ongoing conflict highlight the persistent volatility in the region as Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression enters its third year. The war continues to exact a heavy toll on both nations, with no clear end in sight.