**Ukraine Brings Home Another Group of Prisoners from Russian Captivity**
In a significant development, Ukraine has released another group of prisoners from Russian captivity. The latest prisoner exchange was carried out on June 20, following a similar swap the day before. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, most of the returning warriors had been held in captivity for over two years.
The release comes as part of an agreement reached at peace talks in Istanbul on June 2. The agreement includes a phased exchange of prisoners and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ bodies. Russia has handed over 6,057 bodies to Ukraine, although Kyiv later stated that these remains also included fallen Russian soldiers.
**Warriors Return Home**
The released prisoners include privates and non-commissioned officers, some of whom were captured after the siege of Mariupol in 2022. The oldest prisoner is 60 years old, according to Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Zelensky praised the return of these warriors, stating that they are defenders of various Ukrainian regions and had been held in captivity for too long.
**Prisoner Exchanges Continue**
This week’s exchanges follow four similar swaps carried out last week under the Istanbul agreement. Ukraine repeatedly called for a prisoner exchange in an all-for-all format, but Russia continues to reject the offer. Despite this, both sides have agreed to continue exchanging prisoners and repatriating fallen soldiers’ bodies.
**Russia’s Actions Spark Concerns**
Meanwhile, Russia has launched 86 Shahed-type attack drones against Ukraine overnight, with Ukrainian air defenses shooting down 34 drones and intercepting another 36 through electronic warfare. This escalation in Russian aggression has sparked concerns among European leaders, who are calling for stronger measures to be taken against those involved.
**Other Developments**
In other news, Russia’s Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina praised the country’s economic growth, stating that it had grown at a fairly high pace due to free resources being activated. However, this growth has come at a significant cost, with hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens fighting against Ukraine and causing widespread destruction.
**International Reactions**
The international community continues to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro stated that those involved in fighting against Ukraine should not be allowed to freely travel across the Schengen area. The European Commission has proposed that Ukraine join the European Union’s mobile roaming area, providing Ukrainian users with the ability to make phone calls, texts, and use mobile data in the bloc’s 27 countries at no extra charge.
**A Call for Action**
President Zelensky has called for Russia to continue suffering justified losses due to its aggression. He held talks with the SBU about deep strikes in Russia, emphasizing that the country must be held accountable for its actions. With tensions continuing to rise, it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold.
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