Russia and Ukraine released more than 100 prisoners of war each on Saturday, coinciding with Ukraine’s third Independence Day since the full-scale Russian invasion began.
Ukraine announced that the 115 freed Ukrainian soldiers were primarily conscripts captured in the early stages of the war. Notably, among them were nearly 50 soldiers who had bravely defended the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
Russia confirmed the release of 115 of its soldiers, stating they had been captured during Ukraine’s recent surprise offensive in the Kursk region. These soldiers are currently in Belarus and will be transported to Russia for medical care and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the role of the United Arab Emirates in facilitating the exchange, highlighting it as the 55th such exchange since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian Commander Reports Russia’s Increased Resistance In Kursk
A Ukrainian drone battalion commander has revealed that Russia is intensifying its defense efforts in Kursk, deploying well-equipped troops to the region.
The commander, known as Cold, told Business Insider that his units faced a challenging fight against a force of 80 Russian soldiers following a barrage of glide bombs on a Ukrainian-held village.
Cold’s units were among the first to reach Kursk earlier this month and are currently stationed north of the town of Sudzha, utilizing reconnaissance and strike drones to aid Ukrainian forces.
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Ukraine claims to have captured over 480 square miles of Russian territory and has been advancing further into Russia since launching a surprise attack on the Kursk region on August 6.
However, Ukraine’s progress has slowed this week. Cold noted that Russia has redeployed experienced and well-equipped forces to the region, strengthening its defenses.
US officials have confirmed that Russia seems to be redeploying troops from Ukraine to Kursk, though the exact number remains uncertain.
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While these redeployments might weaken Russia’s ability to maintain offensive operations on the main front in eastern Ukraine, sources suggest that retaking Kursk might not be the Kremlin’s immediate priority.
The Kremlin is reportedly using propaganda to encourage Russians to accept delaying the recapture of Kursk until a perceived Ukrainian defeat in eastern Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War has highlighted that neither Russia nor Ukraine can achieve a decisive victory with a single campaign, suggesting a protracted conflict.
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