**Ukraine and Russia Trade Prisoners in Largest Swap Since 2014**
In a significant development, Ukraine and Russia have begun exchanging prisoners of war (POWs) in the largest such swap since Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014. The exchange, agreed upon during direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Istanbul on May 16, marks a rare moment of cooperation between the two nations.
According to reports, both sides have started returning 1,000 prisoners of war as part of the agreement. This gesture comes at a time when tensions between Ukraine and Russia remain high, with fighting ongoing in several regions.
**Russia’s Delay on Peace Memorandum Slammed by Zelensky**
In his evening address on May 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply criticized Russia’s delay in preparing a proposal for a peace settlement. Zelensky described the weeklong delay as a “mockery of the whole world,” stating that Ukraine and its partners are working towards an immediate ceasefire while Russia stalls.
The remarks were made after Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to support a full ceasefire in Ukraine during a phone call with US President Donald Trump on May 19. Instead, the Kremlin proposed drafting a “memorandum” on a possible future peace settlement.
**Russian Military Helicopter Crashes in Oryol Oblast**
A Russian Mi-8 combat helicopter crashed near the village of Naryshkino in Russia’s Oryol Oblast on May 23, killing the crew. The state-controlled news agency TASS attributed the crash to a technical malfunction. This incident highlights the risks faced by Russian military personnel during the ongoing conflict.
**War Crimes Allegations: Ukraine Says Russian Troops Executed Two POWs**
Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has reported that Russian forces have executed two Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) near the village of Udachne, 12 kilometers west of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast. According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on May 22 during an attack on Ukrainian positions.
The execution of POWs is a serious international crime and a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions, which classify summary executions of detainees as grave breaches of international humanitarian law.
**Key Developments**
* Ukraine and Russia have begun exchanging prisoners of war in the largest such swap since 2014.
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Russia’s delay in preparing a proposal for a peace settlement, describing it as a “mockery of the whole world.”
* A Russian Mi-8 combat helicopter crashed near the village of Naryshkino in Oryol Oblast on May 23, killing the crew.
* Ukrainian authorities have launched an investigation into the alleged execution of two POWs by Russian forces.
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