Russia and Ukraine have completed a significant prisoner exchange, with 230 prisoners of war swapped on Saturday following Ukraine’s recent cross-border operation into Russia’s Kursk region. This exchange marks the first such swap since Ukraine initiated its incursion on August 6.
According to Russian state media, the Russian military confirmed that 115 soldiers returned from areas under Ukrainian control, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that an additional 115 Ukrainian defenders are now back home.
Kyiv’s strategy for the Kursk offensive includes the capture of Russian personnel as leverage for Ukrainian prisoners. Ukraine reportedly claims control over more than 1,000 square kilometers of the Kursk region.
In a separate military action, Ukraine announced an attack on a Russian ammunition depot located in the Voronezh region. Additionally, officials stated that five individuals lost their lives due to a Russian strike in the eastern town of Kostyantynivka.
President Zelensky confirmed that the returned soldiers encompassed various branches of Ukraine’s armed forces, including the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the Border Guard. He emphasized the importance of every soldier’s return and reiterated the nation’s commitment to securing the release of all Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia.
This prisoner swap is seen as a vital step towards strengthening Ukraine’s position in ongoing negotiations, as President Zelensky expressed hope for diplomatic efforts to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring an end to the conflict. He noted that the Kursk operation was also a preventive measure aimed at deterring further Russian assaults on Ukrainian territory.
