Russia, Ukraine Have Second Prisoner Exchange Hours After Attack On Kyiv

Russia and Ukraine had nan 2nd shape of their latest captive speech connected Saturday, May 24, conscionable hours aft an overnight onslaught connected Kyiv. The Associated Press reported that this group of swaps is nan biggest captive speech of nan Russia-Ukraine war, which has been happening for much than 3 years now.

It came aft nonstop talks betwixt nan countries during nan week of May 11 successful Istanbul. While nan captive switch woody was agreed upon, a ceasefire was not.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, different 307 group were brought location from his side. Russia’s defense ministry said it besides took backmost 307 people.

The time before, each state released 390 successful what officials said is simply a “1,000 for 1,000” exchange.

More exchanges are group to hap connected Sunday, May 25, Zelenskyy said connected X Saturday, May 24.

“In conscionable these 2 days, 697 group person been brought home,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Among those who returned coming are warriors from our Armed Forces, nan State Border Guard Service, nan National Guard of Ukraine. I convey everyone progressive successful nan speech process, those who person been moving astir nan clock. Our extremity is to bring each azygous personification backmost from Russian captivity. We proceed cooperating pinch our partners to make this possible.”

Andriy Yermak, nan caput of nan Ukrainian President’s Office, shared a video connected societal media of released soldiers shouting “Glory to Ukraine – Glory to nan Heroes!” and “Ukraine supra all,” per nan Kyiv Post.

Some of nan recently released prisoners were held successful captivity since 2022, Yermak said.

Meanwhile, a video released by nan Russian defence ministry and reported connected by Reuters had Russian work members getting disconnected buses and posing pinch their country’s flag.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said connected Friday, May 23, that erstwhile nan existent captive switch is done, Russia would beryllium fresh to springiness Ukraine a draught archive pinch conditions for a semipermanent bid agreement, according to Reuters.

Overnight Russian attacks connected Ukraine

Russia launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 Shahed drones astatine Ukraine starting connected Friday, May 23 and going into Saturday, May 24. Ukrainian troops changeable six missiles and “neutralized” 245 drones, nan AP said, successful what nan Kyiv City Military Administration called a “difficult nighttime for each of us.”

The Military Administration said it marked 1 of nan biggest missile and drone strikes connected Kyiv to date.

“Residential buildings successful Kyiv are damaged, and astatine slightest 15 group person been injured,” Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said connected X connected Saturday, May 24 astatine astir 1 a.m. CT.

Sybiha added that this is “clear evidence” that accrued sanctions connected Moscow are necessary. Still, successful a later post, nan Foreign Affairs Minister added that nan captive speech was a “confidence-building measure” that is important to “advance nan bid process.”

There were 13 civilians killed successful Russian attacks successful Ukraine’s eastbound Donetsk Region; confederate Odesa and Kherson regions and northeast Kharkiv region, nan BBC wrote.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces took down 100 drones from Ukraine successful six occidental provinces and successful confederate Russia arsenic well.