Ukrainian forces captured 971 Russian troopers throughout a months-long offensive in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Normal Workers of Ukraine's Armed Forces stated on Could 25, describing the marketing campaign as key to conducting prisoner exchanges.
The announcement got here a day after Ukraine introduced house 303 prisoners of battle within the ultimate part of a 1,000-for-1,000 alternate with Russia. The swap was agreed throughout peace talks held in Turkey on Could 16, the primary direct negotiations between the 2 nations in three years.
In accordance with the Normal Workers, the 971 Russian troops have been taken captive between Aug. 6, 2024, and Could 25, 2025, as a part of Ukraine's ongoing offensive in Kursk Oblast. The army described the marketing campaign as an "sudden and uneven" transfer that helped fill the so-called "alternate fund" — Ukrainian terminology for captured Russian troopers who could be traded for Ukrainian POWs.
Critics had beforehand questioned the strategic worth of the Kursk operation, citing excessive prices and unclear beneficial properties.
"Solely unconventional choices can defeat a numerically superior enemy," the assertion learn. "The Kursk marketing campaign has confirmed to be precisely that — its success acknowledged around the globe."
The Could 25 prisoner launch introduced house troopers from the Armed Forces, Nationwide Guard, Border Guard Service, and Particular Transport Service. Households and comrades welcomed the returnees, together with 70 troops who had defended Mariupol throughout the 2022 siege of the port metropolis.
President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the negotiation group on social media, saying, "We are going to carry again each single one in every of our individuals from Russian captivity."
The latest alternate was carried out in three phases over three days and stays the one tangible final result of the Turkish-hosted talks. Whereas Kyiv continues to advocate for an "all-for-all" prisoner swap, Moscow has to date rejected the proposal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly not too long ago visited Kursk Oblast, which was Putin's first recognized go to to the area since Moscow declared on April 26 that it had accomplished a army operation to liberate the territory from Ukrainian forces. The Normal Workers of Ukraine's Armed Forces dismissed the claims, saying that operations by the Ukrainian army within the border area are ongoing.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir