Ukraine-Russia: New Prisoner Exchange Amid Intensified Fighting in Dnipropetrovsk Region

As peace talks remain stalled, Russia and Ukraine carried out a new prisoner exchange on Monday, June 9, under an agreement reached during the second round of negotiations held in Istanbul. The operation, involving soldiers under the age of 25 and severely wounded detainees, will unfold in several phases over the coming days, both sides announced.

“The process is complex, but it is moving forward,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media, adding that negotiations are taking place “virtually every day.” He warned, however, that any breach by Russia would cast serious doubt on future diplomatic efforts. According to Ukraine’s Coordination Center for Prisoners of War, this marks the 66th exchange since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022. For security reasons, the final number of released individuals will be disclosed only after the operation is completed.

Diplomatic Tensions Undermine the Humanitarian Gesture

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said its repatriated soldiers first transited through Belarus, where they received medical and psychological support. In return, an equal number of Ukrainian servicemen were handed over to Kyiv. Moscow also brought up the issue of soldier remains, claiming that 6,000 Ukrainian bodies—1,212 of which are ready for handover—are awaiting retrieval. Ukraine has yet to confirm a date for this operation.

Unprecedented Russian Offensive in Dnipropetrovsk

Simultaneously, Russia launched a new offensive in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region—a first in more than three years of war. According to the Kremlin, the move aims to create a “buffer zone” near Russian borders. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that its troops “continue to advance deep into enemy defenses.” Ukraine, in response, reported an escalation in attacks, citing a record 479 drones launched by Russia overnight—the highest number since the war began.

As the conflict enters its fourth year, the chances of a diplomatic breakthrough appear increasingly remote. Despite the symbolic significance of prisoner exchanges, the situation on the ground remains volatile, with both sides blaming each other for obstructing lasting peace efforts.