Russia and Ukraine exchanged several busloads of prisoners of war under the age of 25 on June 9, sparking what are expected to be days of emotional scenes in both countries as the massive swap continues under an agreement reached last week at talks in Istanbul.
"Hello Mom, hello Mom, I have arrived, I am home. Hello, Mom. I came back home, I am back in the homeland!" one male POW, draped in a Ukrainian flag, screamed into a phone after getting off a bus inside Ukraine.
Similar scenes played out across the parking lot as family members and supporters hugged the returning prisoners in an exchange that when finished is expected to see at least 1,200 from each side cross the border back to their country.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who hours earlier expressed doubts about a successful outcome, confirmed the swap was ongoing, saying it "will continue in several stages over the coming days."
"The process is quite complex, with many sensitive details, and negotiations continue virtually every day. We count on the full implementation of the humanitarian agreements reached during the meeting in Istanbul," he added.
While those returning home brought tears of joy to those receiving them, the returnees also provide a crucial source of information to relatives of those still missing or not included in the exchange.
Among those released, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, were members of the Navy, land forces, territorial defense forces, Air Force, Airborne Assault Forces, Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service.
"All those released are privates and noncommissioned officers," it added.
Russia's Defense Ministry also confirmed the swap, saying it came "in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul."
Russian officials had accused Kyiv of stalling the exchange of prisoners of war and the repatriation of fallen soldiers. They said Russia had already provided Ukraine with a list of 640 prisoners -- prioritizing the wounded, seriously ill, and young people -- to initiate the exchange process.
Ukraine rejected the accusations it was stalling, with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War asserting that Russia's claims did not align with reality or previously established agreements.
According to Ukrainian officials, while both sides had agreed in principle to repatriate the bodies of approximately 12,000 dead soldiers following peace talks in Istanbul, no specific date had been set for the exchange.
Ukraine's Defense Ministry accused Moscow of attempting to "rewrite" the agreements reached in Istanbul and of creating "artificial obstacles and false statements" to delay the process. The ministry warned that if Russia reneges on its promises, it raises questions about the credibility of the Russian negotiating team.
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