Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap Collapses Amid Mutual Accusations

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

A large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine—once hailed as a breakthrough in stalled peace efforts—has collapsed, with both sides accusing each other of obstruction while deadly missile strikes killed at least 10 civilians across Ukraine.

The long-anticipated prisoner swap, agreed during recent peace talks in Istanbul, involved over 1,000 captured troops and the return of 6,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers’ remains. But on Saturday, the process broke down as Russia accused Ukraine of postponing the exchange indefinitely and failing to confirm a date for the operation.

Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky claimed Kyiv had unexpectedly delayed the retrieval of bodies and the transfer of prisoners. In response, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War denounced Moscow’s claims as “manipulative,” stating that Russia failed to meet agreed conditions and had submitted an inaccurate list of prisoners.

The diplomatic breakdown came amid one of the most devastating aerial attacks since the war began in February 2022. Russian forces launched 206 drones and nine missiles overnight, targeting several regions including Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson.

As Russia’s Defense Ministry defended the strikes as targeted attacks on Ukrainian military-industrial sites, Kyiv renewed calls for greater international pressure on Moscow. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha urged Western allies to intensify sanctions and military support to halt what he called “Russia’s killing and destruction.”

Ukraine also reiterated that no firm date was set for the prisoner exchange, calling on Russia to return to a constructive process and fulfill its commitments in the coming days.

Despite the Istanbul talks, no tangible progress has been made toward a ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukraine withdraw from four disputed regions, halt all Western military cooperation, and abandon NATO ambitions—conditions President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed as unacceptable ultimatums.

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