Latest POW Exchange Reinforces Ongoing Tensions Between Ukraine and Russia

On Friday, Russia and Ukraine carried out a prisoner exchange involving captured soldiers, according to official sources. This event follows recent peace negotiations held in Istanbul earlier this month.

The Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement indicating, “A contingent of Russian servicemen has been returned from the areas under the control of the Kyiv authorities. In return, Ukraine has released a group of its military personnel who were taken as prisoners of war.”

Details regarding the number of soldiers exchanged were not revealed by either party. During the discussions in Istanbul, both nations reached an agreement to swap over 1,000 soldiers who are either injured, ill, or younger than 25 years old.

A video released by Russia’s Defense Ministry showed the returning soldiers celebrating and chanting «Russia,» wrapped in their national flags.

Since the onset of the conflict, numerous prisoner exchanges have occurred.

Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed calls for a ceasefire without conditions and continues its military operations in eastern Ukraine. Moscow is insisting that Kyiv give up more land and cease its dependence on Western military aid as prerequisites for any ceasefire agreement.