Russia, Ukraine swap more than 300 prisoners

Russia and Ukraine announced Monday a swap of more than 300 prisoners of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his team secured the return of 189 Ukrainians, while Russia announced the return of 150 service members.

“The return of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for each of us. And today is one of those days,” Zelensky wrote in a post announcing the exchange.

“We are working to free each and every one from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone,” Zelensky added. “Thank you to the team that is doing everything to ensure that our people return. Thank you to all partners, in particular the UAE, who are helping us with this.”

Tatyana Moskalkova, the Russian commissioner for human rights, said the same number of Russian and Ukrainian service members were exchanged in the deal. The New York Times reported that the 150 Ukrainians did not include the border guards and two civilians.

Moskalkova greeted the service members Monday and said in a post, “Very soon our guys will hug their families and friends and celebrate the New Year on their native land.”

The exchange was announced on the same day the U.S. announced a new military aid package for Ukraine.

The prisoner swap was the largest in months and was brokered by the United Arab Emirates.

Topics

How Suicide Drones Changed the Front Lines in Ukraine in the War With Russia

Outnumbered and desperate, the nation began hacking cheap consumer drones with explosives — bringing a brutal new form of violence to 21st-century warfare.
The New York Times - 17h
Why Did Ukraine Halt the Flow of Russia’s Natural Gas to Europe?

And why didn’t it cut off Russia’s natural gas earlier?
The New York Times - 19h
Ukraine Halts the Flow of Natural Gas From Russia to Europe

A transnational pipeline was shut down on Wednesday after Kyiv refused to renew a prewar agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory.
The New York Times - 20h
Debate Over U.S. Sanctions on Russia For Ukraine War Intensifies

The president-elect has said he will use sanctions sparingly while vowing to end the war in Ukraine, renewing questions over their efficacy.
The New York Times - 6h
The attack was the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a year.

Less than a month ago, New York State authorities charged Luigi Mangione with an act of terrorism in the killing of a health care executive in a shooting in Midtown Manhattan.
The New York Times - 17h
Ukraine Halts the Flow of Natural Gas From Russia to Europe

A transnational pipeline was shut down on Wednesday after Kyiv refused to renew a prewar agreement that allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory.
The New York Times - 21h
FBI seizes more than 150 pipe bombs in raid on Virginia farm

The FBI says it found more than 150 pipe bombs in a raid on a Virginia farm. Investigators say Brad Spafford was arrested after a tip that he was stockpiling weapons. It is the largest seizure of ...
CBS News - 1d
More than 1 million still without power in Puerto Rico

Many in Puerto Rico started 2025 without electricity as the local power company said it could take another day to turn the power back on after a blackout impacted most of the island.
CBS News - 1d
‘Just by existing, he’s extended this war’: Timothy Snyder on Trump, Russia and Ukraine

Historian and bestselling author of On Tyranny worries over Trump’s return to power – and the influence of Elon Musk. Timothy Snyder was not surprised to be asked to help rebuild a Ukrainian ...
The Guardian - 1d