Ukraine and Russia conduct fourth POW swap in a week

Zelensky: “We continue to bring our people home”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the exchange on social media, writing, “We continue to take our people out of Russian captivity. This is the fourth exchange in a week.”

Russia confirms return of its servicemen

Russia’s Ministry of Defense also confirmed the exchange, stating on Telegram: “In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements... another group of Russian servicemen was returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime.”

Ukraine receives 1,200 more bodies

Kyiv also reported receiving an additional 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia. Ukrainian officials said Russia claimed the remains belonged to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. It was not disclosed whether Ukraine returned any bodies to Russia as part of the agreement.

Images of the return: Emotional scenes on both sides

Photos shared by Zelensky showed Ukrainian returnees — many with shaved heads and dressed in camouflage — wrapped in national flags. Some were visibly injured, others embraced loved ones or made phone calls, some smiling or covering their faces.

Meanwhile, Russia released a video of its own returnees in uniform, waving flags, chanting slogans such as “Russia, Russia,” “Glory to Russia,” and “Hooray,” with raised fists and applause.

POW swap amid escalating conflict in Sumy Region

The prisoner swap came as Russia continued to reject ceasefire proposals and intensified its military offensive, particularly in the northeastern Sumy region. Moscow seeks to create a "buffer zone" to shield its adjacent Kursk region, which was previously partly occupied by Ukrainian forces.

Zelensky claims progress on the front line

Zelensky stated that Russian advances in the Sumy region had been halted and claimed Ukrainian forces had retaken one village. He added that Russia is currently using 53,000 troops in its Sumy operation.