London – The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russia and Ukraine began a major exchange of war prisoners on Friday, as it is expected that about 1,000 soldiers from each side will be exchanged on the borders of Ukraine-Billaria upon completion.
There were 270 Russian soldiers and 120 Russian civilians who were replaced by 270 Ukrainian soldiers and 120 Ukrainian civilians on Friday, according to the Ministry of Defense. Russia said the stock exchange is expected to continue “in the coming days.”
“We are bringing our people home,” said Ukrainian President Folodimir Zelinski. “The first phase of the exchange agreement” 1000 compared to 1000 “was implemented.
“Thank you to everyone who helps and works around the clock throughout the week to bring Ukrainian men and women home.” “It is extremely important to return everyone who remains in the captivity. We check each title, and all the details of everyone. We will continue our diplomatic efforts to make such steps possible.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Russian soldiers and civilians were in Belarus, “where they are provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance.”
The prisoners of the Ukrainian war were seen after Mubadala, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in an unknown position in Ukraine, in the form of this statement that was issued on May 23, 2025.
Ukrainian presidential journalism service via Reuters
The stock exchange was prepared after the bilateral peace talks in Istanbul last week.
Although the meeting – the first direct talks between the fighters since the spring of 2022 – failed to stop the shooting, the two sides agreed to swap the prisoner on Friday.
Such exchanges occurred throughout Russia’s 3-year-old invasion of Russia, although the swap-as soon as they are completed-will be the largest so far. Prisoners ’exchanges are one of the few regions in which Moscow and Kiev managed to reach an agreement during the conflict.
President Donald Trump also threw a high -risk phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, after which Russia and Ukraine “will start immediately” negotiations towards the ceasefire. Trump said he also spoke with Zelinski after the call with Putin.
The prisoners of the Ukrainian war were seen after Mubadala, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in an unknown position in Ukraine, in the form of this statement that was issued on May 23, 2025.
Ukrainian presidential journalism service via Reuters
Fierce fighting and long-term drone exchange continued regardless of this-despite the US-led continuous efforts to produce a ceasefire agreement.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia carried out a “large -scale air attack” on Ukraine during the night on Friday, using 175 drones and one ballistic missile.
The Ukrainian air defenses were neutralized 150 of those Russian drones, but the damage was reported in Sumi, Dniproptrovsk, Donitsk, Correviv, Kiev, Zhytomyr, Odesa, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, according to the Ukrainian air weapon.
People pay their respect in the memorial of the Ukrainian soldiers who fell in the field of independence in Kiev, Ukraine, on May 19, 2025.
EFR Lukatsky/AP
The Air Force in Ukraine reported on Wednesday that 76 Russian aircraft fired in the country overnight, of which 63 were dropped or lost during the flight without causing damage. The Air Force reported damage in four Ukrainian regions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that its forces had dropped at least 162 Ukrainian drones overnight.
She contributed to this report to this report.
