Ukraine and Russia have completed a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner swap after three days of exchanges, the largest such deal since the war began. The final 303 Ukrainian captives were returned from Russia on Sunday, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram that the released included warriors from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service. He thanked the team that worked around the clock to carry out the exchange, which was agreed in Istanbul just over a week ago.
Images showed returned prisoners with shaved heads, many wrapped in flags, reuniting with loved ones in Ukraine. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of PoWs said 70 of those released had defended Mariupol during the Russian siege in 2022.
Russia's defence ministry confirmed the exchange, stating it had swapped 303 Ukrainian prisoners for the same number of Russian soldiers. The ministry noted the deal followed agreements reached in Istanbul on May 16.
While some hoped the exchange could lead to a temporary ceasefire, heavy Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities over the weekend killed 12 people and injured many more, undermining that prospect.
