Ukraine Russia prisoner exchange took place for the fourth time within a week on Saturday, June 14. Both Kyiv and Moscow confirmed this latest swap of prisoners of war after agreements made earlier this month in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared on social media that efforts to free Ukrainian captives from Russian hands are ongoing.
Russia’s defence ministry posted on Telegram about the return of another group of Russian soldiers from areas controlled by Ukraine. At the same time, Kyiv said it received about 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia. Moscow claimed these included Ukrainian military members and civilians, part of the same exchange deal. Ukraine has not disclosed if any bodies were handed back to Russia. Zelensky shared photos showing men of various ages in military gear or wrapped in Ukrainian flags. Some appeared injured or emotional as they reunited with family and comrades. The Russian defence ministry released video of prisoners of war in Belarus, draped in Russian flags, chanting and celebrating.
This prisoner swap happened during ongoing fighting as Russia refused calls for a ceasefire and stepped up attacks on the frontlines. Heavy clashes occurred in the northeastern Sumy region, where Russian forces seek to create a buffer zone to protect the Kursk area in Russia. Zelensky said Ukrainian troops have stopped Russian advances there and regained control of a village. He added that Russia deployed about 53,000 soldiers in the Sumy offensive.
