Prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine under way

A significant prisoner exchange is currently underway between Russia and Ukraine, as confirmed by both governments in Moscow and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared images of soldiers celebrating their return to Ukraine, highlighting the emotional impact of the exchange. He explained that the process would take place in several stages over the coming days, prioritizing the return of wounded, seriously wounded, and soldiers under the age of 25. Writing on Telegram, Zelensky described the process as quite complicated, with many sensitive details involved, and noted that negotiations continue almost daily. Russia stated that a similar number of prisoners of war had been returned to Ukraine, although neither side disclosed the exact number of individuals exchanged. According to Russia's defense ministry, the first group of Russian servicemen under 25 years old were returned from areas controlled by Kyiv. These soldiers are receiving psychological and medical assistance in Belarus following their return. On the Ukrainian side, families of prisoners of war and missing soldiers gathered in the Chernihiv region near the Belarus border to welcome the released prisoners and seek information about others still in captivity. Recently, Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of disrupting the planned repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers. In late May, the two countries conducted the largest prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, with each side handing over 390 soldiers and civilians. Meanwhile, the conflict continues with Russia launching a record 479 drones at Ukraine overnight, including attacks on the western region of Rivne, which had previously been relatively spared. Russia's defense ministry claimed it targeted the Dubno base in Rivne as a retaliatory strike. The drone attacks caused damage in several Ukrainian regions, but no casualties were reported. Russia has been escalating its attacks, setting new records for the number of drones fired each week. In response, Kyiv said it attacked a Russian airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region, located about 400 miles from the Ukrainian border. This base reportedly houses planes that launch hypersonic missiles. Ukraine claimed to have damaged two enemy aircraft and targeted an electronics factory that produces equipment used to guide drones and aerial bombs. Video footage showed explosions and a large fire at the plant, which has since suspended production. Additionally, Ukrainian rescuers worked to extinguish a fire at a trolleybus depot in Kharkiv following a drone strike. Despite the ongoing war, the prisoner exchange offers a glimmer of hope for families awaiting news of their loved ones.