Russia and Ukraine Conduct Massive Prisoner Swap

Zim Now Writer

In a rare moment of cooperation amid relentless conflict, Russia and Ukraine on Saturday exchanged hundreds more prisoners, just hours after a major Russian assault on the Ukrainian capital left at least 15 people injured.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the exchange of 307 soldiers from each side, marking the second large-scale release in two days.

On Friday, both countries had freed 390 detainees apiece — both combatants and civilians — under a complex agreement that is expected to total over 1,000 releases per side by the end of the weekend. The swap, facilitated through Belarus, is the largest of its kind since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

“This is a step forward,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram, adding that more releases are expected on Sunday. Russia’s defense ministry echoed the sentiment, suggesting continued coordination though offering no further details.

Just before the prisoner swap, Kyiv endured one of the most intense air assaults of the war. Russian forces launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 Shahed drones overnight. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted six missiles and neutralized 245 drones — including 128 shot down and 117 thwarted using electronic warfare.

Debris from intercepted drones and missiles rained over six Kyiv districts, causing injuries and fires. In the city’s Obolon district, a residential building sustained heavy damage and at least five people were wounded. Fires also broke out in the Solomianskyi district.

“The balcony is totally wiped out, as well as the windows and the doors,” said Yurii Bondarchuk, a local resident who described the terrifying moments after an explosion rocked his home. “I’m just trying to stay calm.”

The air raid siren blared for over seven hours, forcing thousands of residents into shelters. Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko reported that drone fragments had also hit a shopping mall and warned that more attacks could follow.

Ukrainian and European officials condemned the assault. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called it “clear evidence” of the need to intensify sanctions on Moscow, while EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernová labeled the attack “horrific.”

“These are not the actions of a country seeking peace,” said U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Simultaneously, Russian forces struck across Ukraine’s southern, eastern, and northern regions, killing 13 civilians. In Odesa, three people died when a missile hit port infrastructure. Russia claimed it had targeted a cargo ship carrying military equipment.

Russia also reported shooting down over 100 Ukrainian drones overnight in six of its provinces. A drone strike in the Tula region, south of Moscow, injured three people and ignited a fire at a chemical plant tied to explosive and rocket fuel production.

Despite the violence, the prisoner swap brought a sliver of hope to many families. In the Chernihiv region, where Ukrainian POWs were taken for medical care, some relatives of missing soldiers received long-awaited news.

“This is such big news. It’s like a fresh breath of air,” said Anna Marchenko, whose father was confirmed alive by one of the released POWs. “At least it gives us the opportunity to breathe and live in peace.”

However, the swap, which includes the largest number of Ukrainian civilians exchanged so far, does not signal an end to the war. Fierce fighting continues across the 1,000-kilometer front line, with both nations unwilling to relent.

Earlier this month, delegations from both sides met in Istanbul for the first direct peace talks since 2022. They agreed on the framework for the prisoner swap as a “confidence-building measure.” Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed hope that more negotiations would follow.