In a significant diplomatic gesture, Russia and Ukraine on Thursday exchanged 84 prisoners each, marking the latest in a series of swaps that have freed hundreds of captives this year.
The exchange came just hours before a high-stakes summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, set to take place in Alaska on Friday.
For many, the moment was deeply personal. “I’m back in my homeland. Honestly, I never thought this would happen,” said 29-year-old marine Mykyta Kaliberda, one of those released, speaking to AFP with visible emotion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media that the group included both military personnel and civilians, some of whom had been held by Russian forces since as far back as 2014, 2016, and 2017.
This latest swap underscores ongoing, fragile negotiations between the two countries, even as the broader conflict continues to smolder.
