ALBAWABA- In the largest prisoner exchange since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago, 277 Ukrainian soldiers, including 31 wounded prisoners of war, have been released from Russian captivity.
In return, Russia received 246 of its service members, while 15 severely wounded Russian soldiers were transferred from Ukraine for urgent medical care.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the return of the “277 Ukrainian warriors,” calling it a deeply emotional and significant moment. “Each one of them is a symbol of our resilience,” he said.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the exchange, noting that hundreds of soldiers were returned as part of the agreement, marking a rare moment of cooperation amid the ongoing war.
This prisoner swap coincides with a temporary ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin in honor of Easter. It was set to begin Saturday at 6 p.m. and last 30 hours.
While framed as a humanitarian gesture, Ukrainian officials have questioned Moscow’s sincerity. “If a full ceasefire truly takes hold, Ukraine proposes extending it beyond Easter Day on April 20,” Zelenskyy said, suggesting that a genuine ceasefire should be more than a symbolic pause.
Despite the announcement, Ukrainian forces reported continued Russian artillery fire across parts of the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) frontline.
Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that Kyiv had already accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire back in March, but Russia rejected it.
“Now Putin offers 30 hours instead of 30 days,” he wrote on X. “We’ve seen too many statements from him that don’t match reality.”
