Russia and Ukraine swap 103 prisoners of war each

On Wednesday, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each, according to officials from both nations. Ukrainian intelligence indicated that another swap was anticipated before the end of the month.

The regular prisoner exchanges have been occurring throughout the conflict that began with Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, the two nations have maintained significant differences regarding terms for a potential peace agreement. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the prisoner exchange on Telegram, highlighting that the returned servicemen included individuals from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard.

Russian news agency Interfax cited the Russian Ministry of Defence for information on the prisoner swap. Ukrainian prisoners of war who were released from Russia expressed their joy and gratitude. Dmytro, a 29-year-old Ukrainian who spent three years as a prisoner, stated that he is just returning home and does not consider himself heroic. He urged the families of those still held captive to maintain hope.

Another Ukrainian serviceman, Anton Tymofienko, 43, who had been held captive for 28 months, recounted his time in captivity, noting that they rarely received letters from their families and had limited information about the conflict. Neither side provided specifics on where the prisoners had been fighting during the war.

Ukraine's military intelligence chief, Oleh Ivashchenko, announced that another exchange was expected before the month's end. He anticipated the return of individuals who had been held for prolonged periods, including those who fought in the defense of Mariupol, a port city that Russia besieged early in the war.