In a significant development, Ukraine and Russia exchanged more than 300 prisoners of war on Monday. Footage captured the emotional reunions of Ukrainian soldiers with their families.
KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine and Russia carried out a new exchange of prisoners of war on Monday, with the two sides bringing home a combined total of more than 300 former captives.Kyiv brought home 189 former captives, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russia 's Defense Ministry said, while the Russia n ministry said 150 Russia n servicemen were returning home.
The Russian ministry said the captives had been released in Belarus, Moscow's close ally in the 34-month-old war with Ukraine, and would be transferred to Russia.Reuters Television footage in Ukraine showed waiting spouses and some servicemen, many wrapped in blue and yellow national flags, weeping openly as they were reunited well after dark outside a building.A child's incredulous voice resounded over a mobile telephone: 'Dad, is that you?''My son is 5 years old now, the last time I saw him he was 2 years old,' said Serhii, who was captured by Russian forces at the Azovstal steel mill in the southern port Mariupol, which withstood a siege for nearly three months in 2022.'That's why my son probably didn't recognise me. I used to have a beard and hair. I lost 20 kg (44 pounds).'For some former captives the return to freedom involved adjustment.'Even now I'm holding my hands behind my back, it has become a habit of mine,' said Roman Borshch, 29. 'Now I have to get used to being a free person again.'Video posted by the Russian Defence Ministry showed smiling servicemen on a bus, some calling their families.'We'll soon be home. How are the children? How is our boy?' said one man.'I am overwhelmed by emotion,' said another. 'I still can't quite believe that this has happened, that I am back home, that the ministry made such efforts, that we are remembered and valued.'Zelenskiy thanked United Arab Emirates authorities and other partners for facilitating the swap. The United Arab Emirates acknowledged it helped arrange the exchange.'The return of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for each of u
POW Exchange Ukraine Russia Belarus War Reunited
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