Russia and Ukraine have swapped prisoners of war under the age of 25 in moving scenes, marking the beginning of a series of planned exchanges that could be the largest swap of the war to date.

The exchange was a result of direct negotiations between the two countries in Istanbul on June 2, leading to an agreement to swap at least 1,200 POWs on each side and repatriate the bodies of thousands killed in Russia's war in Ukraine.

While broader negotiations have failed to end the war in its fourth year, the return of POWs and repatriation of the deceased is a rare point of agreement between the two sides.

Russia claimed to have gained control of more territory in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, while Kyiv reported Moscow's largest drone attack of the war.

Emotional Reunions

Upon returning to northern Ukraine, Ukrainian prisoners were greeted with emotional reunions. One freed soldier was handed a cell phone to call his mother, exclaiming, "Hi mum, I've arrived, I'm home!"

After crossing the border, the men were taken to a hospital for medical checks, showers, food, and care packages, including mobile phones and shoes.

Outside the hospital, crowds of women searched for missing relatives, holding up pictures in hopes of finding information from the returning POWs.

Challenges and Hope

While Russia accused Ukraine of delaying the exchange, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the process would occur in multiple stages, with sensitive details.

Both sides are committed to exchanging gravely ill or severely injured individuals, although those released on Monday appeared to be in good health.

Psychological and medical assistance is being provided to the returned servicemen in Belarus before they are transferred to Russia for further care.

Despite the challenges, the emotional scenes of reunions and exchanges offer hope for peace and reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine.