Ukraine and Russia commenced a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals, marking a notable event since the invasion began in February 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 390 individuals were released in the initial phase of a three-day operation. The agreement stemmed from talks held in Turkey, emphasizing its significance. Reports indicate that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians remain in Russian captivity. Families of the liberated individuals were eagerly awaiting their return amid security concerns regarding their location during the exchange.
This POW exchange was the only deal made during rare direct talks between the two countries in Istanbul last week.
Zelenskyy's office said earlier this month that more than 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers are estimated to have been captured by Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
He said 390 people were included in the first of a three-day exchange.
Hanna Korsun-Samchuk told NPR that Russian forces took him away after occupying the city for several months in 2022.
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