Ukraine and Russia carried out their fourth prisoner of war (POW) exchange in a week on Saturday, June 14, according to both sides, under agreements reached in Istanbul earlier this month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media that the process of freeing captured Ukrainians from Russian custody continues.
Russia’s defence ministry confirmed the return of another group of Russian servicemen from Ukrainian-controlled territory through a statement on Telegram. Kyiv also reported receiving 1,200 unidentified bodies from Russia, which Moscow claimed were Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel, as part of the same agreement. Ukraine did not disclose whether any bodies were returned to Russia.
Photos shared by Zelensky showed men of various ages, mostly in camouflage and wrapped in Ukrainian flags, some injured or emotional as they reunited with family and comrades. Moscow’s defence ministry released footage of Russian POWs draped in their national flags, visibly chanting and celebrating during their transfer in Belarus.
The exchange occurred amid escalating conflict, with Russia rejecting ceasefire calls and increasing military operations along the frontline. The northeastern Sumy region, targeted by Russian forces aiming to secure a buffer zone to protect the Kursk area, saw intensified fighting. Zelensky claimed Russian advances there have been halted and that Ukrainian troops have retaken one village. He added that Russia is deploying around 53,000 troops in the Sumy offensive.
