Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds of prisoners amid ceasefire efforts

Russia and Ukraine said Wednesday they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges since the Russian full-scale invasion started three years ago.

“We are bringing back soldiers, sergeants, and officers – warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the Border Guard Service,” said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian leader said Tuesday that releasing all prisoners of war as well as captured civilians would be an important step toward peace and could help build trust between the two countries. He has repeatedly called for an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange.

This comes as ongoing discussions about a temporary ceasefire that may pause the war continue.

Shortly after the exchange took place near the northern border of the two warring countries, dozens of anxious families rushed to a hospital in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region set to receive the released prisoners.