Ukraine and Russia have successfully finalized the ninth stage of prisoner exchanges, an outcome of the agreements established during the second round of talks held in Istanbul on June 2. This notable development was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on July 23.
Zelenskyy expressed his relief and joy for the families who have been reunited with their loved ones, revealing that over 1,000 individuals have been returned through these exchanges so far. “Homecoming for the critically ill and severely wounded defenders,” he highlighted, echoing the emotional impact on thousands of families.
The President noted that many of the returning servicemen had been in captivity for more than three years, making their release particularly significant. The government pledged to provide the necessary support and medical assistance to these individuals to aid their recovery.
In conjunction with the exchanges, discussions between Ukrainian and Russian delegations on July 23 focused on future stages of not only prisoner swaps but also civilian exchanges. Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, revealed that the Russian side agreed to release individuals who had been held captive for extended periods, including severely wounded individuals and young prisoners.
This ongoing process of exchanges symbolizes a glimmer of hope in the midst of the challenging circumstances faced by many families affected by the conflict. Moving forward, the commitment to continue these exchanges demonstrates the possibility for more reunifications and healing as the negotiations progress.