Kyiv [Ukraine], May 24 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Saturday that 307 Ukrainian defenders have returned home as part of a major prisoner exchange agreement brokered in Turkey. This marks the second day of the 1,000-for-1,000 swap, bringing the total number of released Ukrainian personnel to 697. The process is expected to continue into Sunday.
Those released include members of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard. Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude to those facilitating the exchange and reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to securing the release of every Ukrainian held in Russian captivity.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “Another 307 Ukrainian defenders are home. Today is the second day of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange that we managed to negotiate in Turkiye. In just these two days, 697 people have been brought home. We expect the process to continue tomorrow. Among those who returned today are warriors from our Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard of Ukraine.”
He added, “I thank everyone involved in the exchange process, those who have been working around the clock. Our goal is to bring every single person back from Russian captivity. We continue cooperating with our partners to make this possible.”
Zelenskyy’s post
Zelenskyy’s second post
According to Al Jazeera, Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that it had released 307 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in exchange for an equal number of Russian servicemen. The Russian returnees are currently receiving care in Belarus before being repatriated. The deal, described as the largest of its kind since the conflict began in 2022, also included the release of 270 soldiers and 120 civilians on each side along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border on Friday.
This development comes amid heightened tensions and continued violence. On Friday, Kyiv was struck by a significant Russian drone and missile assault, resulting in multiple civilian casualties and extensive property damage.
Zelenskyy addressed the situation in a separate post, stating, “Fragments of Russian missiles and drones are being cleared in Kyiv. Rescue and emergency operations are ongoing at the sites of strikes and debris impacts — wherever they are needed. There were many fires and explosions in the city overnight. Once again, residential buildings, cars, businesses have been damaged. Sadly, there are injuries.”
He continued, “It was a difficult night for all of Ukraine — 250 strike drones, the absolute majority of them Iranian ‘Shaheds,’ and 14 ballistic missiles. The Odesa, Vinnytsia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kyiv, and Dnipro regions suffered damages. All strikes targeted civilians. There are fatalities. My condolences to the families and loved ones.”
Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s calls for ceasefire proposals and urged the international community—particularly the United States and Europe—to impose tougher sanctions on Russia. He emphasized that further pressure on the Kremlin is necessary to push for genuine diplomatic negotiations.
“Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire many times—both a full one and one in the skies. It all has been ignored. It is clear that far stronger pressure must be imposed on Russia to get results and launch real diplomacy. We are awaiting sanctions steps from the United States, Europe, and all our partners. Only additional sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy will force Moscow to cease fire. I thank everyone who helps and supports us,” the President said. (ANI)
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