Ukraine, Russia begin biggest prisoner swap of war

Chernihiv Region: Ukraine and Russia began a major prisoner exchange on Friday, which if completed would be the biggest swap since Moscow invaded more...

Chernihiv Region: Ukraine and Russia began a major prisoner exchange on Friday, which if completed would be the biggest swap since Moscow invaded more than three years ago.

Both sides received 390 people in this first stage and are expected to exchange 1,000 each in total under an agreement reached at direct talks in Istanbul last week.

Russia has signalled it will send Ukraine its terms for a peace settlement after the swap, which is set to be staggered over three days.

The two enemies have held regular prisoner swaps since Russia launched its 2022 offensive -- but none have been on this scale.

An AFP reporter saw some of the formerly captive Ukrainian soldiers arrive at a hospital in the northern Chernigiv region, emaciated but smiling and waiving to crowds waiting outside.