Russia and Ukraine concluded a three-day prisoner exchange operation on Sunday, May 25th. From May 23rd to 25th, both sides released 1000 individuals each, marking the largest exchange operation between the two countries since the war began in February 2022.
Among the 1000 individuals released by Russia and Ukraine, the majority were prisoners of war, but there were also a small number of civilians included in the exchange.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Sunday that both sides released 390 individuals on Friday, 307 on Saturday, and 303 on Sunday, completing the 1000-for-1000 prisoner swap.
Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the figures announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Sunday via Telegram. He posted, “Today, our servicemen from the armed forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service are returning home.”
Despite the rare moment of cooperation shown in the prisoner exchange, the war is far from over. Just hours before the swap on Sunday, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and other regions were hit by large-scale drone and missile attacks by Russia, resulting in at least 12 fatalities and dozens of injuries, the largest airstrikes since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
During negotiations between Russia and Ukraine held in Istanbul, Turkey on May 16th, representatives from both sides agreed to exchange 1000 prisoners of war and civilians each. This marked the first face-to-face talks between the two countries in three years. While an agreement on the prisoner swap was reached during the talks, there was no substantial progress on a ceasefire.
While the exchange took place, fighting continued along the approximately 620-mile front line. Despite tens of thousands of soldiers losing their lives here, both countries have not eased their efforts in the ongoing conflict.
Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, informed the Associated Press that Russia launched 298 drones and 69 different types of missiles at Ukraine on Sunday, the largest single airstrike in the over three-year war.
President Zelensky stated that Russian missiles and drones struck over thirty cities and villages, urging Western partners to strengthen sanctions against Russia.
Moscow has yet to comment on the attacks. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian air defense systems shot down 110 Ukrainian drones that night.
According to information released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian troops have been pushed back from the border area in the Kursk region, which Russian President Putin visited a few days ago.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Friday, May 23rd, that once the prisoner exchange was completed, Russia would be preparing to submit a draft of a long-term peace agreement to Ukraine.