The situation at an overview: The prisoner exchange continues – massive Russian attacks

Accompanied by massive Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, Moscow and Kiev want to continue their greatest prisoner exchange so far since the beginning of the war three years ago. At night, at least three people died in the Ukrainian capital in drone strikes, as the military administration announced. At least ten people were injured. Regardless of this, more than 300 people are to be released in the third and last phase of the unprecedented prisoner exchange.

The exchange of a total of 1,000 Russian prisoners for the same number of Ukrainian prisoners had been agreed on May 16 at the first direct negotiations between Moscow and Kiev since 2022 in Istanbul. On Friday, 390 prisoners were released in a first step, then on Saturday in the second stage 307.

Dead in new Russian drone attacks on Kyiv

In the night of Sunday, the residents of Kiev and other cities in Ukraine experienced a new night in fear and horror through Russian drone swarms. In addition to fatalities, there were injuries: four people were injured in a student dormitory alone when a drone was hit, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram platform.

Russian drone attacks were also reported from Charkiw in the east, Mykolajiw in the south and the port city of Odessa. The Russian combat drones attacked the port city in several waves from different directions, the agency Unian reported.

In the early morning, Russian cruise missiles also took course on Ukraine. The “Kalibr” type of steering weapons were fired by ships in the Black Sea and by Tupolew Tu-95 and TU-160 bombers, Ukrainian media reported, citing the flight defense. The goal of the rockets was initially not mentioned.

The Russian military had already attacked drones and rockets the night before. 15 people were injured, and numerous houses were set on fire. Overall, Ukraine experienced around 250 drone attacks and air strikes with 14 ballistic rockets during the night of Saturday.

Selenskyj: Return of the prisoners no simple task

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj said in his evening video address in Kiev that in the third phase the last of the 1,000 prisoners were supposed to return home. “But the task is to bring absolutely to everyone who is currently stuck in Russia. And that is a common task for our secret services, for our diplomats, for our whole state. Of course this is not an easy task, but it has to be fulfilled,” he said.

Of the returnees on Saturday, 273 in the Donetsk area were in Russian captivity, a large part already in 2022, said Selenskyj. Others were caught by the Russians in the areas of Cherson, Saporischschja, Kharkiw and Luhansk. In total, 697 Ukrainians came in freedom on the first two days, said Selenskyj.

According to the Department of Defense in Moscow, Russia received the same number of prisoners, including civilians in addition to soldiers. They were initially in Belarus and were supposed to return to Russia from there to be medical care, as the ministry continued.

Selenskyj declares willingness for diplomatic solution

Selenskyj again condemned the youngest Russian air strikes against Ukraine in his video message. In the night of Saturday, 15 people were injured and residential buildings were seriously damaged after fires and explosions as a result of drone attacks. In Odessa on the Black Sea, the number of dead increased to three after a Russian air raid. According to its own information, Russia had shot at containers with armaments for Ukraine.

“Ukraine is ready for any form of diplomacy that brings a result,” said Selenskyj. “We are ready for all steps that can guarantee real security. However, Russia is not ready for this.” In the coming week, more pressure on the country should be exerted to force peace. Strong answers from the United States, Europe and everyone else who wanted to end this war are necessary. Selenskyj had repeatedly demanded sharper sanctions against Russia.

Russia wants to hand over Memorandum for the end of the war

Russia, however, announced that, after completing the prisoner exchange in the next few days of Ukraine, the announced declaration of intent to solve the conflict. Working on the memorandum is in the final phase, said the Vice-Chief of the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kossatschev, the military TV broadcaster “Swesda”. However, the document will not be presented publicly, but a basis for the very difficult negotiation process.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin announced the memorandum for a possible future peace treaty after his phone call to US President Donald Trump on Monday. According to Russian information, in addition to the basic causes of the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, it should also contain the view of a possible ceasefire.

President Selenskyj had said in Kyiv that he was waiting for the Russian explanation. At the same time, he rejected a withdrawal of the Ukrainian troops from Moscow from the areas of Saporischschja, Cherson, Luhansk and Donetsk, which were only partially controlled by Kiev. Russia had annexed the regions and declared its territory.