• Russia and Ukraine exchanged POWs as part of an agreement from recent peace talks in Istanbul.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky confirmed the return of soldiers who had been in captivity for over two years.
• The exchanges involved seriously ill and wounded soldiers from both sides.
• Russia’s defense ministry reported the return of servicemen from Ukrainian territory.
• No specific numbers were disclosed regarding the total exchanged prisoners.

Ukraine and Russia confirmed the completion of several prisoner exchanges on June 19 and 20, following an agreement reached at peace talks in Istanbul. The recent swaps aimed to bring home wounded or ill soldiers, including those captured early in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "our people are returning home from Russian captivity," highlighting the emotional moments of reunion for freed soldiers and their families, as documented by Indiatimes and Reuters.

The exchanges featured troops who had faced severe conditions in captivity, with many suffering from significant medical issues. The Russian Defense Ministry revealed that the exchanged soldiers were receiving medical support in Belarus, emphasizing that the need for treatment was paramount. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support systems that enabled the swaps, affirming that these efforts are crucial to help “each and every one” of the prisoners return home, according to AA and AA.

However, the negotiations concerning a broader ceasefire remain stalled as neither side has agreed to essential terms set by the other. Russia continues to demand territory concessions from Ukraine and a renouncement of Western support, complicating the dialogue. Despite the positive announcements regarding POW swaps, these humanitarian gestures have not led to a significant reduction in hostilities, as emphasized by Reuters and Le Monde.