Ukraine and Russia exchange captured soldiers

More than 200 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers have returned home in a prisoner swap, the two countries said Monday. Russia’s Defense Ministry said 106 Russian soldiers were released from Ukrainian custody as part of an agreement with Ukraine. Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, said that Russia freed 100 Ukrainian prisoners. Neither announcement mentioned whether any intermediaries were involved in the agreement. Some of the Ukrainian soldiers have severe injuries and illnesses, Yermak said in a statement published on Telegram. He added that the latest of the sporadic prisoner swaps was “not an easy one.” He did not elaborate.