**Ukraine and Russia Complete Prisoner Exchange, Returning Wounded Soldiers**
In a significant step towards humanitarian efforts, Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange on June 10. The swap marks the second phase of an agreement reached during peace talks in Istanbul, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The exchange saw the return of injured and severely wounded Ukrainian warriors from Russian captivity. According to Zelensky, all those who were released require immediate medical attention. This development is seen as a crucial humanitarian act, bringing hope to families of prisoners and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding human lives during conflict.
**A Crucial Step in Humanitarian Efforts**
The prisoner swap is part of a broader deal negotiated between Kyiv and Moscow since June 2. While no ceasefire or significant political breakthrough was achieved, both sessions resulted in key humanitarian agreements, including commitments to exchange prisoners of war (POWs) and the bodies of fallen soldiers.
As part of this agreement, Russia has pledged to hand over the remains of 6,000 Ukrainian service members. President Zelensky announced on June 4 that preparations for body repatriation would begin after the completion of the prisoner exchange.
**Tensions Flared Before Exchange**
In a brief escalation, tensions flared between Ukraine and Russia when Moscow claimed the exchange had failed due to Kyiv’s actions. However, Ukrainian officials rejected this accusation, labeling it as disinformation. Russia also released a video showing refrigerators allegedly containing Ukrainian bodies, which was disputed by Ukrainian authorities.
**A Path Towards More Comprehensive Deal?**
The latest prisoner swap follows the largest full-scale war prisoner release, conducted between May 23-25. During this exchange, 1,000 captives were released by each side. Ukraine has returned over 5,000 prisoners from Russian captivity since March 2022, according to official data.
Kyiv continues to advocate for an “all-for-all” formula, which would see the return of every captured Ukrainian soldier. However, Russia has repeatedly refused to accept such a comprehensive deal.
**A Step Forward, but Challenges Remain**
While this prisoner exchange marks progress in humanitarian efforts, significant challenges remain in achieving a comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. As tensions and disagreements persist, it is crucial for both sides to continue dialogue and work towards finding common ground.
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