Russia and Ukraine conduct another POW exchange, Zelenskyy vows to bring “everyone back”

Russia and Ukraine have carried out another round of prisoner exchanges, officials from both countries confirmed on Friday, marking a continuation of the fragile humanitarian agreement to swap prisoners of war and the bodies of fallen soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the return of Ukrainian servicemen, many of whom had spent over two years in Russian captivity.

“Most of the warriors returning today from Russian captivity had been held for over two years. And now, at last, they are home,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.

He noted that the freed soldiers include defenders of Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Those released represent Ukraine’s Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service.

“I am grateful to everyone who is bringing our people back. We are working to ensure that the exchanges continue until we bring everyone back. Glory to Ukraine!” he added.

Neither side disclosed the exact number of prisoners exchanged or the terms of the agreement. However, both Kyiv and Moscow have indicated that these exchanges are part of ongoing, behind-the-scenes negotiations mediated by third parties.