Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russia have carried out their largest prisoner exchange since hostilities first broke out in 2022. This occurred following a violent night featuring one of the largest aerial assaults ever observed over Kyiv. New York Post On May 24, both countries released 307 military personnel each, expanding upon the previous day’s exchange of 390 individuals per side. This initiative is part of an agreement reached during recent talks in Istanbul to exchange 1,000 prisoners between nations over three days – NPR, AP News and Reuters have each agreed on similar measures as part of this initiative. AP News +14; The US Sun +15 and Reuters each offered coverage; Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the safe return of 307 Ukrainian soldiers, including those from Mariupol and various regions such as Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk. According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence report, their soldiers were transported via Belarus for medical evaluation before heading back home again. Al Jazeera and The Kyiv Independent reported this success simultaneously as did The US Sun. +4 These exchanges take place against a backdrop of intensified military actions. Days before this exchange took place, Kyiv experienced an unprecedented drone and missile attack from Russia launching 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones into Ukrainian airspace, intercepted mostly by Ukrainian forces but leaving debris that injured at least 15 residents and caused fires across multiple districts. ABC7 Chicago CBS News AP News et al Timing of the assault coincident with prisoner exchanges has drawn strong condemnation from Ukrainian officials, President Zelenskyy condemning it as undermining efforts toward peace and stability. US Sun has also strongly denounced it. International reactions have been mixed. Although prisoner swaps are generally seen as positive steps, questions still exist regarding Russia’s commitment to reaching an overall peace agreement. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that Russia would provide a draft peace proposal following completion of prisoner exchanges (AP News +5 The Independent and US Sun). No matter these developments, conflict continues along a 1,000-kilometer frontline with ongoing battles and significant casualties on both sides. Humanitarian conditions remain dire with numerous families still waiting for news about missing loved ones (AP News +5 = The Washington Post +5, PBS 5 and CNN all rating +5) As the final stage of prisoner exchange proceeds, the international community carefully watches, hoping that these gestures may open up more substantive negotiations and ultimately contribute to peace.
