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In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine carried out a prisoner exchange involving over 100 individuals on Saturday, coinciding with Ukraine’s observance of its third Independence Day since the onset of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. This exchange reflects the ongoing complexities of the conflict, as both nations navigate the humanitarian dimensions of war amidst continued hostilities.
According to Ukrainian officials, 115 servicemen were released in this latest exchange, with many having been conscripts captured in the early days of the invasion. A substantial portion of these soldiers had been held by Russian forces after the fierce battles around the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
On the opposite side, the Russian Defence Ministry disclosed that the 115 soldiers it received had been captured during recent clashes in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces had launched a surprising offensive two weeks prior. The ministry indicated that these soldiers are currently in Belarus but will soon return to Russia for necessary medical care and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on X, previously known as Twitter, that the United Arab Emirates played a crucial mediating role in facilitating this exchange, marking the 55th such event since Russia’s military actions escalated in February 2022.
“Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today,” Zelenskyy stated. “These are warriors of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service.
We remember everyone. We are searching for them and making every effort to bring them all back.
I am grateful to each…” pic.twitter.com/XiMAeANsOd
The photographs accompanying Zelenskyy’s post portrayed the returning servicemen, visibly fatigued and wrapped in Ukrainian flags, reinforcing the emotional weight of their return. “We remember everyone. We are searching for them and making every effort to bring them all back,” he emphasized.
These exchanges occur infrequently and typically require considerable diplomatic negotiation. Officials on both sides remain reticent about the total number of prisoners of war currently held, contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the welfare of those captured.
Reports from the United Nations highlight the harsh conditions endured by many Ukrainian prisoners, detailing systemic neglect, mistreatment, and allegations of torture. There have also been sporadic accounts of abuse affecting Russian soldiers, mostly occurring during their capture or prior to their transfer to formal detention centers.
Last January, Russia and Ukraine recorded their largest prisoner exchange to date, involving hundreds of individuals, illustrating the ongoing efforts to navigate the delicate balance of custody and care amid hostilities.
WATCH | Ukrainian soldier spoke to Russian POWs:
Russian POWs say their lack of training helped Ukraine advance
In a video from a Ukrainian facility holding Russian soldiers, obtained by CBC News, several of these troops reported experiencing conscription with minimal training, a factor they believed contributed to their rapid defeat during encounters with Ukrainian forces.
Drone and artillery attacks continue
In parallel, ongoing military confrontations led to the tragic deaths of two individuals and injuries to four others, including a baby, as Russian artillery targeted the southern city of Kherson, which is the administrative capital of the partially occupied Kherson region.
The Ukrainian air force announced the interception and destruction of seven drones over the southern parts of the country. Russian long-range bombers also launched attacks against Zmiinyi (Snake) Island, deploying four cruise missiles while aerial bombings impacted the broader Kherson area.
In response, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that seven drones were shot down overnight, with specific incidents of drone activity in the Voronezh region, where two individuals suffered injuries following strikes on an ammunition facility. Reports from Belgorod and the Kursk region also noted threats from drones, further intensifying the ongoing aerial conflict.
Independence Day commemorations
Ukraine marked its 33rd Independence Day on Saturday amid the grim realities of ongoing warfare, observing the occasion without public celebrations, instead opting for somber commemorations honoring the civilians and soldiers lost in the conflict.
In a gesture of solidarity, Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv, providing symbolic support to Ukraine during this pivotal time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena, participated in a solemn ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance, paying tribute to those who have fallen.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also released a statement commemorating Ukraine’s independence, emphasizing Canada’s long-standing recognition of Ukraine as a sovereign nation. Trudeau’s message reaffirmed the necessity of upholding democratic values and ensuring that foreign aggression does not divert a nation from choosing its own path.
“That despots attempting to redraw borders must not prevail. That Ukrainians, and Ukrainians alone, have the right to choose their own future,” Trudeau asserted.
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www.cbc.ca