Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap Follows Deadly Aerial Assault

In a rare moment of cooperation amidst relentless conflict, Russia and Ukraine swapped over 300 prisoners of war on Sunday, hours after Moscow unleashed a devastating aerial barrage on Ukrainian cities, killing at least 12, including three children. This exchange, part of a larger deal brokered in Istanbul, marks the war’s biggest prisoner swap, with over 1,000 combatants and civilians traded over three days. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated the return of 303 defenders, including soldiers, border guards, and special forces, while Russia confirmed a matching release.

The swap’s timing is striking, coming on the heels of Russia’s largest single aerial assault, deploying 69 missiles and 298 drones. Kyiv’s air defenses, alongside those in Kharkiv, worked tirelessly to repel the attack. Yet, even as bombs fell, negotiators in Istanbul secured this fleeting act of humanity, a reminder that even in war’s chaos, fragile agreements can hold.

Across the Atlantic, President Donald Trump voiced his dismay, calling out Vladimir Putin’s aggression as “crazy” and warning of Russia’s potential downfall. He didn’t spare Zelenskyy either, criticizing his rhetoric as divisive. Trump’s frustration underscores the war’s global ripple effects, with no easy answers in sight.