Russia, Ukraine Swap 160 POWs Each, Freeing Captives Held Since 2022
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 26
Russia, Ukraine Swap 160 POWs Each, Freeing Captives Held Since 2022
3 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · Jun 26
Summary
160 prisoners of war from each side were exchanged on Friday, with Russian state agencies citing the Defense Ministry and President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming the swap.
Zelensky said the returned Ukrainian servicemembers had been held since 2022, making the exchange a release of long-detained captives.
The swap came as fighting continued elsewhere, with earlier reports tying it to one of Ukraine's largest drone attacks of the war, including strikes aimed at Russia and Russian-held Crimea.
As Ukraine's drone tactics turn the tide, what are the real prospects for a negotiated peace?
With both sides needing Chinese components, who will ultimately win the drone production war?
Ukraine’s 660-Drone Offensive and Prisoner Swap: Escalating the War and Testing Russia’s Defenses, June 2026
Overview
On June 26, 2026, Ukraine sharply escalated its drone campaign, launching coordinated attacks on Russian-held Crimea and regions within Russia. This marked a new phase in the conflict, as Ukraine aimed to isolate the Black Sea peninsula and increase pressure on Russia by leveraging advanced drone technology. The strikes caused widespread disruptions in Crimea, including fuel shortages, emergency measures, and the cancellation of summer activities. These actions highlight Ukraine’s evolving strategy to disrupt critical infrastructure and daily life in occupied territories, signaling a significant shift in the war’s dynamics and intensifying challenges for Russian control.