Ukraine confirms POW exchange with Russia will proceed following recent tensions between the two nations.

The anticipated prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine is scheduled to take place next week, as affirmed by Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov. This confirmation counters recent claims from Russian authorities suggesting that Kyiv had indefinitely postponed the agreement. Budanov stated that the repatriation activities will commence as a result of negotiations that took place in Istanbul, emphasizing that everything is proceeding as planned, despite what he termed “the enemy’s dirty information game.”

The backdrop for this exchange comes amid allegations from Russia, which claimed that Ukraine has delayed the return of approximately 6,000 soldiers’ remains from both sides, in addition to the exchange of wounded and critically ill prisoners of war, including those under the age of 25. Budanov asserted that Ukraine has maintained commitment to the agreements established during recent talks in Istanbul, which were designed to facilitate such exchanges.

In a parallel development, Russian officials reported that they had transported over 1,000 bodies of slain Ukrainian soldiers to the designated exchange point and provided a preliminary list of 640 prisoners of war. However, Ukraine denied these claims, urging Russia to refrain from engaging in what it described as “playing dirty games.”

Experts view the imminent exchange as a pivotal development in the ongoing conflict. Melinda Haring, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, remarked on the significance of this exchange, noting that it represents the largest engagement of this kind between the two nations to date. Historically, such exchanges have been indicative of diplomatic progress. Haring expressed concern that emerging narratives of friction could hinder broader peace negotiations.

Despite these developments, both sides have yet to achieve a temporary ceasefire, which many hoped would signal a pathway toward reconciliation. Diplomatic efforts have been hampered, and the conflict continues to escalate. As of the latest reports, both Russia and Ukraine have intensified their military engagements, with Russia claiming to have intercepted Ukrainian drones near Moscow and reporting significant casualties among civilians in Ukraine. The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been particularly affected, highlighting the ongoing toll of the conflict.

In an important note, the situation in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which has not been designated as part of the Russian Federation post-referendum, is causing significant concern. Russian forces have reportedly entered this region for the first time since the conflict began, a move that Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford suggests could have major implications for the dynamics of the ongoing war.

As the situation continues to evolve, the international community remains watchful, hoping for a resolution that favors lasting peace.

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