Key developments on May 23: * Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war * Ukraine confirms strike on Russian factory making parts for Iskander ballistic missiles, glide bombs * Russian military helicopter crashes in Oryol Oblast * Zelensky slams Russia's delay on peace memorandum as 'mockery of the whole world'
The nature, size, and political significance of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have evolved significantly over the three and a half years of the full-scale war, accelerating sharply in recent weeks. While ceasefire and peace negotiations have gone through periods of halts and bursts, increasingly institutionalized prisoner exchanges are
Editor's note: The article incorrectly said that only soldiers were brought back to Ukraine as part of the exchange. Ukraine has brought back home 290 soldiers and 120 civilians. Their eyes fill with tears as they hear people shouting, ‘Thank you!’ and ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ The soldiers have just arrived
The planned exchange, involving 1,000 detainees from each side, follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
"We have to release all our people, unconditionally. We are trying to do the maximum we can. We are trying very hard," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia involving around 1,000 POWs from each side is expected to take place next week, Ukraine's military intelligence chief said on air on May 17, following an agreement reached in Istanbul.
The Ukrainian delegation present in the Vatican included the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election.
This marks the fifth known prisoner of war (POWs) swap of 2025 and the 64th since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Togo’s Foreign Ministry earlier said the detainees had been misled into leaving the country with promises of scholarships to study in Russia.
Key developments on April 19-20: * Multiple Russian ceasefire violations reported from front line during Easter ceasefire, Zelensky says * Ukraine brings home 277 POWs in swap with Russia * Ukraine advances in Russia's Belgorod Oblast, Zelensky says * Republican US Congressman Fitzpatrick visits Ukraine’s front line, signs a shell for Putin * Russia
"We'll continue to make representations to the reprehensible regime of (Russian President) Vladimir Putin on behalf of Mr Jenkins," Anthony Albanese told 9News.
Wagner units were key to Russia's seizure of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast in May 2023.
Another 277 Ukrainian soldiers returned home in a major prisoner swap with Russia mediated by the United Arab Emirates, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 19.
The Kyiv Independent attended a press conference with the captured Chinese prisoners of war on April 14 to learn more about their service in the Russian military — and has highlighted the key takeaways for you.
The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks. One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian "chemical weapons" right after he was taken captive by
Key developments on April 10: * US ambassador to Ukraine to resign, State Department tells Kyiv Independent * 'Before I got there, I had never held a weapon' — Ukraine shows interrogation of Chinese POWs * Ukraine won't accept any limits on its army in talks with Russia, official says * Russia frees woman jailed
The captured fighter also said he was treated better in Ukrainian custody than during his time with Russian forces, according to a new interrogation video published April 10.
The involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war against Ukraine appears to be part of a “systemic” recruitment effort organized by Moscow, not isolated incidents, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 10.
"The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
One of the captives served in the 2nd Battalion of Russia's 157th Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Tarasivka, while the other fought in the 1st Battalion of the 81st Motorized Rifle Brigade and was captured near Bilohorivka, according to the SBU
Key developments on April 9: * Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show * Russia's spring offensive has "effectively already begun," Syrskyi says * Ukraine open to buy US military aid package for $50 billion, Zelensky says * Russian military airfield reportedly targeted in mass drone attack At least
The documents, obtained by the Kyiv Independent, list the names, personal data, brigades, and ranks of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia.
The man was among two Chinese nationals taken prisoner near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka during a clash between Ukrainian troops and a Russian assault group on April 8.
"The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
"China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine," U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on April 8.
"We have information that there are much more than two such Chinese citizens in the occupier's units," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on March 21: * Zelensky, Pavel meet in Kyiv to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine * Ukraine has brought back over 4,000 prisoners of war from Russian captivity since start of full-scale invasion, Zelensky says * Russia's Kavkazskaya oil facility still burning after two days, more explosions reported * Ukraine accuses
"Now, when we talk to the American side and our other partners about how to end the war, we talk about the release of prisoners as one of the first steps," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha discussed the potential transfer of two North Korean POWs in a phone call.
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