By Rorisang Modiba
- Ukraine says 390 of its people are finally back home and more will be released this weekend.
- Russia confirms the release of 270 soldiers and 120 civilians in a deal with more swaps planned.
Ukraine says 390 of its people are finally back home, and more will be released this weekend.
Russia confirms the release of 270 soldiers and 120 civilians in a deal, with more swaps planned.
Russia and Ukraine have made a rare move towards peace by swapping hundreds of prisoners — one of the few hopeful signs in their ongoing war.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 390 Ukrainians were freed and brought home this week. He said more prisoners will return over the weekend.
“It’s very important to bring everyone home,” Zelenskyy posted on Telegram.
He thanked everyone involved and promised Ukraine would keep pushing for more.
Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed that 270 soldiers and 120 civilian prisoners were freed on each side. It said the exchange will continue in the coming days.
This new deal comes after brief talks between the two countries in Turkey last week. The meeting lasted only two hours but ended with an agreement to release 1,000 prisoners each.
While no major peace deal came from the meeting, the prisoner swap is seen as a small step forward.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has now dragged on for more than three years, with no end in sight.
But this exchange has given families hope and shown that some talks — even short ones — can lead to real results.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not stop until every citizen held in Russia is brought back.
Russia also signalled that more prisoners will be freed soon, but gave no dates.
Pictured above: Soldiers.
Image source: @ Aleskey Berezutski
