As Ukraine celebrated its 33rd Independence Day, the country marked a significant milestone with the exchange of over a hundred prisoners of war with Russia. The 115 Ukrainian servicemen released were conscripts, many of whom were captured during the initial months of the invasion, including nearly 50 soldiers taken from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to each of the returned soldiers, reminding everyone that the country remembers and searches for all its warriors.
The swap was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, which has brokered 55 prisoner exchanges since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that the released soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they will receive medical treatment and rehabilitation. This marked a rare moment of cooperation between the two sides, as their officials only meet to exchange prisoners and the dead after lengthy preparation and diplomacy.
On a day of commemorations rather than festivities, Ukrainians honored the civilians and soldiers killed in the war. Zelensky also announced that Ukraine had successfully used a new domestically produced drone, the “Palyanitsa,” for the first time against Russian forces. In a show of support, Polish President Andrzej Duda arrived in Kyiv, marking his fifth visit since the war began. Poland has been a key ally of Ukraine, providing arms and welcoming tens of thousands of Ukrainian refugees.
Ukraine Marks Independence Day with Prisoner Swap (Image via Getty)
Despite daily attacks and shelling continuing to take a toll on civilians and soldiers, Ukraine remains determined to maintain its independence and sovereignty. Zelensky declared that “Ukraine will always remain independent – this is beyond question.” As the day drew to a close, Ukraine counted its losses, with five people killed and five others wounded in Russian shelling in the city of Kostiantynivka, and two people killed and four injured, including a baby, in the southern city of Kherson.
The war has entered its third year, and the military situation remains precarious. However, with the prisoner swap, Ukraine has taken a significant step towards maintaining its independence and sovereignty. The country’s determination to remain independent was evident in Zelensky’s declaration, and the prisoner exchange served as a symbol of Ukraine’s resilience in the face of adversity.
