Major Prisoner Exchange Between Russia and Ukraine Amid Ongoing Attacks
A significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine is underway, coinciding with a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv, injuring at least 17.
Overview
On May 23, a major prisoner exchange began between Russia and Ukraine, involving 1,000 prisoners from each side. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed the return of 390 individuals in the first phase. However, this development coincided with a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv, injuring at least 17 and damaging buildings across the city. The attack involved 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones, with Ukraine's Air Force claiming to have shot down most of them. Despite the exchange being seen as a confidence-building measure, significant challenges remain in achieving a lasting peace, as both sides are far apart on key conditions.
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Analysis
- The articles present a grim account of ongoing violence in Kyiv due to Russian attacks, causing injuries and destruction.
- Despite a rare prisoner exchange, the overall tone remains negative, emphasizing the dire situation and lack of peace progress.
- The severity of the conflict overshadows any potential positive developments, highlighting the urgent need for resolution.
Articles (19)
Center (10)
"…At least 17 people were injured in Kyiv, with residential buildings and infrastructure damaged across multiple districts."
ABC News·1M·"…The attack came hours after Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner exchange of hundreds of soldiers and civilians, the first phase of a swap agreed on by the two sides at a meeting in Istanbul last week."
NBC News·1M·"…The nighttime Russian attack that stretched into early Saturday came hours after Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner exchange."
CBS News·1M·"…Ukraine’s capital came under a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack early Saturday with explosions and machine gun fire heard throughout the city, forcing many Kyiv residents to take shelter in underground subway stations."
ABC News·1M·"…The nighttime Russian attack came hours after Russia and Ukraine began a major prisoner exchange, swapping hundreds of soldiers and civilians in the first phase of an exchange that was agreed on by the two sides at a meeting in Istanbul last week."
Associated Press·1M·"…Dozens of Ukrainian families waited for hours in a leafy courtyard for the liberated prisoners of war, hoping their loved ones would be among them."
NPR·1M·"…The swap was agreed in Turkey a week ago, when low-level delegations from Ukraine and Russia came face to face for the first time since March 2022."
BBC News·1M·"…The prisoner swap was the only concrete step towards peace the two sides agreed at their talks in Istanbul."
NBC News·1M·"…The ongoing exchange was agreed last week in the first direct Russia-Ukraine peace talks since the early weeks of Moscow's 2022 invasion of its neighbor."
CBS News·1M·"…The swap was taking place at the border with Belarus in northern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly."
Associated Press·1M·FAQ
The current exchange involves 1,000 prisoners from each side, with the process unfolding over several days and supervised at the Ukraine-Belarus border. Lists of prisoners are verified by both governments before the swap, and each country is responsible for receiving and providing assistance to their returning citizens.
The prisoner swap was agreed upon during direct peace talks in Istanbul and is seen as a confidence-building measure. However, no ceasefire was achieved, and both sides remain divided on key conditions for peace[2].
The prisoner exchange proceeded despite the attacks on Kyiv, which injured at least 17 people and damaged buildings. The attacks, considered part of ongoing hostilities, did not halt the swap but underscore the fragile and conflicting nature of current bilateral relations[2].
Civilians were included in the exchange. In the first phase, 120 Russian civilians and 120 Ukrainian civilians were swapped alongside military personnel[2].
Ukraine is verifying each individual's identity and circumstances, and providing support to returnees. Families and support services are present at the exchange site to assist with medical and psychological needs, as reported by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.
History
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