Russia and Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Delaying Major POW Exchange

POW Exchange Thwarted

• ❌ A large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, intended to be the largest of the war, fell apart on Saturday.
• 🗣️ Both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of delaying and thwarting the plan.

Moscow's Accusations

• 🇷🇺 Russia accused Ukraine of not showing up to collect the bodies of soldiers and postponing the exchange indefinitely.
• 📝 Moscow stated they handed over a list of 640 names to the Ukrainian side but Ukraine has not set a date for the return of corresponding Russian prisoners.

Kyiv's Counterclaims

• 🇺🇦 Ukraine claims Moscow is playing "dirty games" by not adhering to the agreed perimeters for the exchange.

Istanbul Talks and Previous Swaps

• 🤝 The most recent direct talks in Istanbul on Monday saw an agreement to release over a thousand prisoners of war each, including wounded soldiers and those under 25.
• 🕊️ This exchange was seen as the only concrete outcome of peace talks so far.
• 🔄 It would have followed a previous swap last month involving 10,000 individuals over three days.

Context of the Delay

• 💥 Saturday's failed swap occurred just hours after Russia launched a massive aerial attack across Ukraine, heavily targeting the city of Kharkiv.