On Sunday, following announcements from the head of state security about advancements in talks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned that Ukraine is eager to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia. This move could lead to the return of approximately 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners.
“We are optimistic about… resuming the exchange,” President Zelenskiy shared on X, stating that “numerous meetings, negotiations, and conference calls are currently underway to facilitate this.”
Rustem Umerov, who serves as the Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, revealed on Saturday that discussions have taken place between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to revive these exchanges.
He noted that an agreement, previously established in Istanbul, would be utilized to facilitate the release of the 1,200 Ukrainians.
The Russian authorities have not responded yet to these claims.
The Istanbul Agreement outlines the Prisoner Exchange Protocol, mediated by Turkey in 2022, which provides a framework for executing large-scale, coordinated exchanges.
Since the agreement, thousands of prisoners have been exchanged between Russia and Ukraine, albeit in an inconsistent manner.
Umerov indicated that technical discussions are expected soon to iron out procedural and organizational aspects, and he expressed hope that returning Ukrainians would be able to “ring in the New Year and Christmas at home, surrounded by loved ones.”
In addition, Russian drone strikes targeted energy infrastructure in Ukraine’s Odesa region, continuing into the night, according to reports from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
A solar power plant was included among the affected areas.
Ukraine faces ongoing challenges as it withstands persistent Russian air attacks that have caused widespread blackouts across the nation just before the winter season.
The recent missile and drone assault on power facilities coincided with Ukraine’s attempts to halt Russian advances, particularly aimed at seizing a stronghold east of Pokrovsk.
Ukrainian air force officials reported that, on Sunday, Russia launched a total of 176 drones and one missile overnight, with Ukrainian forces managing to shoot down or disable 139 drones.
Conversely, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that Russian forces managed to shoot down 57 drones of Ukrainian origin during that same period.
