Ukraine, Russia Complete Fourth POW Exchange in One Week

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

Ukraine and Russia completed their fourth prisoner-of-war exchange in just seven days on Saturday, under agreements reached during Istanbul peace talks, while fighting intensified along the northeastern front.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the latest prisoner exchange on social media, emphasizing the country’s ongoing efforts to secure the return of captured Ukrainian soldiers.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the swap, noting that another group of Russian servicemen had been returned from areas under Ukrainian control. Both sides credited the exchange to recent agreements made during Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.

Photos shared by Zelensky showed freed Ukrainian troops, some wrapped in national flags, others visibly injured but smiling and embracing loved ones upon arrival. Several were seen making phone calls or stepping off buses into welcoming crowds.

Meanwhile, footage released by Russia’s Defense Ministry showed uniformed soldiers holding Russian flags and chanting patriotic slogans such as “Russia,” “Glory to Russia,” and “Hooray,” as they celebrated their return.

Alongside the prisoner exchange, Ukrainian officials reported receiving 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia, which Moscow claimed were Ukrainian nationals, including soldiers.

The latest swap comes as Russia intensifies its military campaign in northeastern Ukraine, particularly in the Sumy region. Moscow claims the objective is to establish a “buffer zone” to protect Russia’s Kursk region from cross-border strikes.

President Zelensky reported that Ukrainian forces had halted the Russian advance and reclaimed one village. He estimated that approximately 53,000 Russian troops had been deployed in the Sumy operation.

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