Families of Ukrainian soldiers who have been missing gathered near the Belarus border on Monday as a significant prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine commenced. As the bus carrying prisoners of war approached, a wave of relatives surged forward, many holding up photos of their missing loved ones, including fathers, brothers, and sons. The atmosphere was charged with anxiety; few held hope for reunions, and most were simply yearning for any information after enduring years of uncertainty.
Details of the Exchange
In the latest round of negotiations held in Turkey last week, both nations agreed to exchange sick and severely wounded prisoners, along with those under 25, and the remains of approximately 12,000 soldiers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that this exchange would unfold “in several stages” over the upcoming days, stating on Telegram, “The process is quite complicated, there are many sensitive details, negotiations continue virtually every day.” On the other hand, Russia’s defense ministry reported the return of the first group of Russian servicemen under the age of 25 from areas controlled by Ukraine, claiming that a similar number of Ukrainian soldiers were also repatriated. However, neither side disclosed the exact number of individuals involved in the exchange.
As has been customary in previous exchanges, Moscow stated that the repatriated Russian soldiers were receiving medical and psychological support in Belarus. Officials in Kyiv indicated that some of the Ukrainian prisoners released on Monday had been held in Russian captivity since the onset of the war.
Emotional Reunions and Continued Struggle
Tetiana, among those gathered in the Chernihiv region near Belarus, held a sign adorned with pictures of her father, Valentyn, and her cousin, Mykola, both of whom remain unaccounted for. “When my father went to fight, my biggest fear was that he would go missing,” she recounted tearfully. “I hoped maybe he’d be wounded and come back.” Tragically, the war has taken a heavy toll on her family, as her uncle was killed last September, with his remains only recently being returned for burial.
“Heroiam Slava” – glory to the heroes – the crowd replied in unison.
As one of the returned prisoners appeared at an upstairs window, relatives below shouted the names of various regiments, hoping for any news. He apologized, made a heart sign with his hands, and called out “slava Ukraini” – glory to Ukraine. The crowd’s response was immediate and powerful, echoing back in unity.
Witnesses noted that some of the soldiers looked visibly frail as they were escorted inside. “They spent a lot of time in Russian places of detention, without any visits from the International Red Cross,” remarked Petro Yatsenko, from Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for prisoners of war. “Their health conditions are very poor. They have not had sufficient food. Of course they need a long period of rehabilitation.”
Despite the dire circumstances, 23-year-old Valera, who returned after over three years of captivity, seemed content after enjoying a bowl of Ukrainian soup. As he turned to leave, women pressed forward, offering pictures of the missing, hoping he could identify someone.
In recent events, tensions have escalated as both sides accused each other of hindering the repatriation of deceased soldiers. Russia claimed that the bodies of over 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been transported to a designated exchange point without Ukrainian officials arriving. Ukraine countered, alleging that Russia was not adhering to the agreed terms of the swap.
In a substantial exchange earlier in May, both Russia and Ukraine each handed over 390 soldiers and civilians, marking the largest swap since the onset of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Meanwhile, hostilities continued, with Moscow launching a record 479 drones at Ukraine, including attacks on the western Rivne region, typically shielded from such assaults. Russia characterized these strikes as “retaliatory,” following Ukraine’s drone attacks on Russian airfields.
The overnight bombardments resulted in damage across multiple Ukrainian regions, although no casualties were reported. As attacks ramped up, Ukraine retaliated by targeting a Russian airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which is located 400 miles from the Ukrainian border. Ukraine asserted that this base housed aircraft capable of launching hypersonic missiles, claiming damage to “two units of enemy aircraft.” The assault also aimed at an electronics factory known for producing equipment used in drones and aerial bombs, with footage showcasing explosions and a significant fire, resulting in a halt in production.