KIEV, Ukraine – In a diplomatic move, Ukraine and Russia conducted an exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war, just days after a Russian transport plane crashed, causing the deaths of dozens of captured Ukrainian troops. The exchange saw Russia turn over 207 Ukrainian troops, while Ukraine released 195 Russians, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
This exchange, the first since the tragic crash, took place on Wednesday. Moscow has accused Ukraine of shooting down the transport plane last week and claimed that the plane was headed to make another prisoner swap. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that a Ukrainian missile shot down the military transport plane carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war and nine Russians. However, Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied its forces’ involvement in the plane crash, and Russia’s claim could not be verified.
President Zelenskyy expressed determination to bring back all Ukrainian citizens in captivity. He also praised the Ukrainian team for their efforts in the exchange. While the Ukrainian officials had confirmed earlier in the week that a prisoner exchange had been scheduled but had been called off, it was not clear until today’s exchange that the pattern of prisoner swaps, agreed upon by Russia and Ukraine over the past two years of conflict, would continue following last week’s disaster.
The exchange and the recent plane crash have added complexity to an already tense relationship between the two countries. Despite the ongoing conflict, both nations have demonstrated a willingness to engage in diplomatic exchanges, hoping to resolve the longstanding issues. The tragedy of the plane crash has raised questions and concerns about the safety of such exchanges and the potential risks involved.
The events unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions and conflicting narratives. The exchange of prisoners of war and the plane crash have underscored the challenges and complexities of managing the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This latest development reflects the delicate balance between cooperation and conflict in their relationship.