In a remarkable breakthrough, Russia and Ukraine each released 303 prisoners on Sunday, marking the largest prisoner swap since the conflict began in 2022. This pivotal move followed direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, where both sides set the stage for future exchanges.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that 303 Russian servicemen have returned from Kyiv-controlled territory, while Ukrainian sources confirmed that the freed captives include personnel from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service, as noted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on X.
The freed Russian servicemen are now located in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving essential psychological and medical assistance. This swap was part of an accelerated three-day series of exchanges, coming on the heels of prior swaps that involved 270 soldiers and 120 civilians on Friday and a 307-for-307 exchange on Saturday.
While challenges remain, this historic exchange provides a glimmer of hope for families affected by the conflict and highlights an effort toward easing tensions. 🤝 As the 65th prisoner swap since the outset of the conflict and the sixth of its kind this year, it underscores the importance of dialogue even in turbulent times.
Stay tuned to amigonews.net for more updates on this evolving story and what it might mean for future diplomatic efforts.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
