Behind Bars No More: Ukraine and Russia Engage in High-Stakes Prisoner Swap

Ukraine-Russia Conflict: Latest Updates

The freighter Aya was due to transport wheat from Ukraine to Egypt on Thursday and was in international waters at the time of the attack.

Russia’s Threat to Global Food Security

Russia is also endangering the security of global food supplies “through systematic bombardment of Ukrainian infrastructure and ships transporting grain,” the ministry in Bucharest explains.

Ukrainian President Announces Meeting with US President

3:49 pm: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a meeting with US President Joe Biden in September. “I will present the plan for victory to him,” said the head of state during an appearance in the Ukrainian capital Kiev. It is about a system of interdependent decisions that gives Ukraine enough strength to move the war towards peace.

Zelensky’s Plan for Victory

“Such wars of conquest can be ended fairly in several ways: either the occupying army is pushed out by force or by diplomacy,” Zelensky explains. This guarantees the true independence of the country. However, for the necessary strong position, Kiev depends on the support of the United States.

Prisoner Exchange Between Ukraine and Russia

3:11 pm: In exchange, Ukraine receives back 49 prisoners of war from Russia. “These are fighters from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the police, the border guard service and also our civilians,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram. Some of them were captured defending the Azovstal steelworks in the southeastern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol at the start of the war. 23 of those released are said to be women.

It is not reported how many prisoners were transferred to the Russian side. However, the liaison staff for prisoner of war affairs are talking about an exchange. To begin with there is no information from the Russian side.