On Monday, Russia and Ukraine executed a swap of a first group of captured soldiers, marking a significant event amid ongoing peace talks that had cast doubt over the weekend. This prisoner exchange agreement, which includes the repatriation of deceased fighters, is the sole concrete result from the talks that have not achieved a breakthrough in the three-year war.
The progress towards peace has been stymied, with Russia maintaining strict conditions for halting its invasion and consistently denying calls for an unconditional ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the initiation of the exchange on social media, stating, “Today an exchange began, which will continue in several stages over the coming days.” Zelensky shared images of soldiers wrapped in Ukrainian flags, celebrating their return.
Although both sides confirmed the swap was part of agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, they did not disclose the number of prisoners released. Following the Istanbul meetings, both countries suggested that the exchange could involve over 1,000 captured soldiers, making it the most extensive exchange during the conflict. However, the swap seemed uncertain over the weekend, as Moscow and Kyiv engaged in mutual accusations about delaying the exchange.
Zelensky accused Russia of engaging in a “dirty, political game,” claiming that they did not adhere to the agreed terms of releasing sick, wounded, or young captives under the age of 25. Conversely, Russia accused Kyiv of refusing to accept the bodies of deceased soldiers, claiming 1,200 were waiting in refrigerated trucks near the border.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in 2022, has caused the largest European conflict since World War II, displacing millions and devastating parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Following pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, direct negotiations resumed for the first time in over three years, though both sides still seem far from an agreement.
In the talks held in Istanbul on June 2, Russia stipulated that Ukraine must withdraw its forces from controlled areas, recognize Moscow’s annexation of five regions, and abandon all Western military support. In contrast, Kyiv is advocating for a complete ceasefire and a summit that includes Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Trump to address the stalemate.
While the exchange of prisoners is welcomed, Zelensky expressed that further talks with the current Russian delegation seemed futile, labeling them as “empty heads” due to their inability to agree on a ceasefire. Meanwhile, hostilities on the front lines intensified. Russia reported crossing into Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region for the first time during its campaign, which is significant as Moscow has not previously claimed territory in that area.
Moreover, Moscow launched a record 479 drones at Ukraine overnight, according to Kyiv’s air force, with the Ukrainian mayor of Rivne, Oleksandr Tretyak, stating that it was “the largest attack” in the region since the conflict began. Russia claimed it targeted an airfield near Dubno in the Rivne region, describing the attack as retaliation for a prior Ukrainian drone assault against Russian military jets. Additionally, Kyiv acknowledged responsibility for a drone attack on a Russian electronics factory, which reportedly suspended production due to the assault.
