On Saturday, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, releasing a total of 115 servicemen. The Ukrainian soldiers, many of whom were conscripts captured in the early stages of Russia's invasion, included nearly 50 soldiers taken prisoner from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the 115 Russian soldiers had been captured in the Kursk region during Ukraine's recent offensive into Russia. The soldiers are currently in Belarus but will be transferred to Russia for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the United Arab Emirates facilitated the exchange, marking the 55th such exchange since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Photos shared by Zelenskyy showed the released servicemen, visibly exhausted and wrapped in Ukrainian flags, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to bring all prisoners home.
Both countries meet only during prisoner exchanges, with no official disclosure of the total number of prisoners of war. The U.N. has reported routine medical neglect, mistreatment, and torture of Ukrainian POWs, while isolated cases of abuse of Russian soldiers have also been documented.
Despite the exchange, conflict continues, with two casualties reported in Kherson due to Russian shelling. Ukraine's air force intercepted and destroyed seven drones, while Russian bombers targeted Zmiinyi Island and the wider Kherson region with missiles and bombs. In Russia, air defenses shot down seven drones, with casualties reported in Voronezh, Belgorod, and Kursk regions.
As Ukraine marked its 33rd Independence Day, subdued commemorations were held to honor civilians and soldiers killed in the ongoing conflict. Polish President Andrzej Duda's symbolic visit to Kyiv underscored Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine, with Poland being a key ally providing arms and refuge for Ukrainian refugees.
Despite historical tensions and occasional disputes, Poland's solidarity with Ukraine remains steadfast as the war enters its third year.
