Russia and Ukraine conduct significant prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine conducted one of the largest prisoner swaps on Wednesday since the war began three years ago. Each side exchanged 175 prisoners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of soldiers, sergeants, and officers who had fought valiantly for their country. Upon their return, emotional scenes unfolded as families awaited their loved ones in Ukraine's Chernihiv region. Aliona Skuibida, a woman whose fiancé Andrii Orel was captured in April 2022, was among the anxious family members. She had campaigned for nearly three years for his release. Now, she prepared to celebrate his return with balloons and a cake for his birthday. As the trucks carrying the released soldiers arrived, frail and exhausted men emerged, some smiling despite their ordeal. Oleksandr Savov, a 46-year-old soldier who had not seen his family for nearly three years, expressed joy at being home. He shared his struggles during captivity, noting poor conditions and a significant weight loss. However, not all families were reunited. Some carried pictures of missing relatives, hoping to find answers from the released prisoners. The Russian Defense Ministry also mentioned releasing 22 severely injured Ukrainian captives as a goodwill gesture. Zelenskyy promised that Ukraine would continue to remember and work to bring home all its heroes. He acknowledged the continuous effort behind prisoner exchanges, which require extensive planning. Since the start of the invasion, over 4,000 Ukrainian prisoners, including civilians, have been released. The returning soldiers will receive immediate medical and psychological support. Zelenskyy thanked those who assisted in the exchanges, especially international partners like the United Arab Emirates. The United Nations has reported that many Ukrainian prisoners suffer abuse and neglect while in Russian detention.