RUSSIA, UKRAINE EXCHANGE 84 PRISONERS EACH AHEAD OF PUTIN-TRUMP SUMMIT
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Agency Report
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday exchanged 84 prisoners of war each, in the latest swap between the two countries that has seen hundreds freed so far this year.
The exchange took place on the eve of a high-level meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump scheduled for Friday in Alaska.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the freed Ukrainians included both military personnel and civilians, some of whom had been detained since as far back as 2014, 2016, and 2017. Among them were defenders of Mariupol, the port city captured by Russian forces in 2022 after a prolonged siege.
“I’m back in my homeland. Honestly, I never thought this would happen,” said 29-year-old Ukrainian marine Mykyta Kaliberda.
Families of those released expressed relief and joy. “My eldest son was in captivity for three years, four months, and two days. Thank God, we awaited him,” said Tetiana Turkoman, whose son fought in Mariupol. Another woman, Anastasia, tearfully called out for her husband, Artur Ivanik, who was also among those returning home.
The Russian defence ministry confirmed the swap on Telegram, saying the United Arab Emirates had mediated the exchange. It added that the released Russian personnel were receiving medical and psychological support.
Large-scale prisoner exchanges remain one of the few tangible outcomes of peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv, including three rounds of negotiations in Istanbul from May to July.
In their latest talks last month, both sides agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners each, with Moscow also offering to return the bodies of 3,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
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