UPDATE: Ukraine is urgently working on a prisoner exchange with Russia that could see the return of 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this development on December 3, 2023, following remarks from his national security chief regarding advancements in negotiations.
“We are … counting on the resumption of POW exchanges,” Zelenskyy stated on social media platform X. He emphasized that intensive meetings and discussions are currently underway to facilitate this process.
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, confirmed that he held talks mediated by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on resuming these exchanges. Umerov indicated that the parties have tentatively agreed to activate agreements established in Istanbul in 2022, which would allow for the significant swap of prisoners.
While Moscow has yet to respond to these claims, Umerov expressed optimism about the upcoming technical consultations aimed at finalizing the logistics of the exchange. He noted that the goal is for these returning Ukrainians to be able to “celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays at home — at the family table and next to their relatives.”
In parallel, Ukraine continues to face aggressive aerial assaults. Overnight on December 3, Russian drone strikes in the Odesa region caused damage to energy infrastructure, including a solar power plant. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported the strikes as part of an ongoing campaign against Ukraine’s power grid, coinciding with critical efforts to fend off Russia’s advances in the eastern stronghold of Pokrovsk.
According to the Ukrainian air force, a total of 176 drones and one missile were launched by Russia during this overnight attack, with Ukrainian forces successfully neutralizing 139 drones. In a counterclaim, Russia’s defense ministry stated that its forces shot down 57 Ukrainian drones in the same time frame.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on the potential for the prisoner exchange to provide relief for Ukrainian families. This exchange is seen not only as a military strategy but also as a humanitarian effort to reunite loved ones during the holiday season. Stay tuned for more updates as negotiations progress.
