**Ukraine and Russia Agree on Prisoner Exchanges**
Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets announced that Ukraine and Russia have reached a “preliminary agreement” to conduct regular prisoner exchanges throughout the year. The focus will be on returning seriously ill and severely wounded prisoners of war (POWs) to their homes.
The revised approach for preparing exchange lists prioritizes those who are severely injured or critically ill, followed by prisoners who have been in captivity the longest. Lubinets expressed hope that Russia would honor its commitment, saying “If they do, Ukrainian society will notice the systematic nature in terms of quantity, timing, and categories [of prisoners returning home].”
**Recent Prisoner Exchanges**
In 2024, Ukraine conducted 11 prisoner exchanges and secured the return of 356 more people than in 2023. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 3,956 people have been released, including 1,358 in 2024.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed these numbers in his New Year video address published late on Dec. 31. On Dec. 30, Ukraine successfully secured the release of 189 captives from Russian detention, including military personnel and two civilians.
**Other Developments**
* President Zelensky said that Ukraine continues to maintain a buffer zone on Russian territory, actively destroying Russian military potential there.
* A Ukrainian specialist in municipal services was killed by Russian forces.
* Mykhailo Drapatyi, commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, acknowledged significant challenges within the French-trained 155th “Anne of Kyiv” Mechanized Brigade.
* The Moldovan government has faced criticism from Russia for its handling of a gas crisis.
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