There were scenes of raw emotion across Ukraine as dozens of prisoners of war returned home on the second day of a mass prisoner exchange with Russia, following the 1,000-for-1,000 deal brokered in Turkey.
Draped in Ukrainian flags, soldiers stepped off buses and into the arms of loved ones, many of them overcome with tears and relief.
“It’s the best day,” said Olena Yuzvak after hugging her husband Yuriy.
“I couldn’t believe it was real until we reached the border,” added Oleksandr, a returning soldier.
Zelenskyy Confirms 307 More Ukrainians Returned Home
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that 307 Ukrainians returned on May 24, bringing the total to 697 soldiers over two days.
He noted that the exchange involved members of the army, State Border Guard, and National Guard of Ukraine.
In Moscow, Russian officials said 307 soldiers had also been returned and were receiving medical care in Belarus.
Peace Talks Shadowed by Escalating Violence
While families celebrated the return of their loved ones, Ukraine was rocked by one of the largest Russian airstrikes on Kyiv since the war began.
Missile and drone attacks struck Kyiv, Odesa, and Kupyansk, killing and injuring civilians and destroying residential areas.
“These are not the actions of a country seeking peace,” stated British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Emergency crews worked by flashlight to search for survivors among rubble-strewn buildings in the capital.
Officials reported that 15 people were injured, including a 43-year-old woman and a 54-year-old man undergoing surgery due to shrapnel wounds.
Contradictions Between Diplomacy And Destruction
Zelenskyy emphasized the stark contrast between the prisoner exchanges and the continued aggression:
“With each such attack, the world becomes more convinced that the war drags on because of Moscow,” he said.
“Ukraine has offered multiple cease-fires — all ignored.”
He also renewed calls for stronger sanctions from the U.S., Europe, and global partners.
Air Defense Responds To Massive Assault
According to Ukraine’s military, Russia launched 14 Iskander ballistic missiles and around 250 Shahed drones during the overnight assault.
Ukrainian air defense shot down six ballistic missiles aimed at Kyiv and 245 drones, preventing even greater devastation.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down 94 Ukrainian drones across its territory.
Zelenskyy’s comments followed a May 16 peace meeting in Istanbul, the first high-level direct talks since early 2022. While the prisoner deal was hailed as a success, no broader progress was made.
The Kremlin continues to deny targeting civilians, despite widespread evidence of civilian deaths and infrastructure destruction throughout the war.
