The war between Russia and Ukraine continues to unfold with the recent exchange of captured soldiers, as reported by the Russian government. This exchange is part of a series of prisoner swaps that were discussed during peace talks held in Istanbul earlier this month.
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While the talks did not yield progress towards a ceasefire, both parties agreed to the release of over 1,000 soldiers from each side. These individuals consist primarily of those who are wounded, ill, or under the age of 25.
“A group of Russian servicemen was returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In exchange, a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was handed over,” stated the Russian defense ministry in an official release. These Russian soldiers are currently located in Belarus, a nation that shares borders with both warring factions.
Celebrating the return of these heroes, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed on X, “Most of the warriors returning today from Russian captivity had been held for over two years. And now, at last, they are home. These are defenders of Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.”
He further emphasized, “We are working to ensure that the exchanges continue until we bring everyone back,” although neither side disclosed the exact number of soldiers released during this latest operation.
In a poignant show of patriotism, Moscow shared a video of Russian soldiers in military attire chanting “Russia, Russia,” while proudly displaying Russian flags. Such exchanges have become a rare avenue of communication between Moscow and Kyiv amidst the ongoing conflict.
Unfortunately, the backdrop of these exchanges includes grim incidents; on June 17, Russian drones attacked the Ukrainian city of Odesa, resulting in one fatality and injuries to at least 14 others. This significant Black Sea port is vital for Ukraine’s economy and has been frequently targeted since the onset of the war.
Local governor Oleh Kiper reported on the damage, stating, “Despite the active work of air defense forces, there is damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, a higher education institution, a gas pipeline, and private cars.” He accompanied his message with harrowing images of charred structures and burning buildings.
According to local emergency services, the attack resulted in at least ten drone strikes targeting residential areas, igniting massive fires. Ukraine’s Air Force noted that Russia had launched a total of 86 drones overnight, with Ukrainian defense successfully intercepting 34 of them, although 36 were ultimately lost. Unfortunately, drone strikes caused damage in eight separate locations, including Odesa’s vital railway infrastructure.
As these events continue to unfold, the resolution remains elusive, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The ongoing exchanges of prisoners, along with the relentless attacks, reveal the complexities of the conflict and the pressing need for sustained dialogue.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
