Ukrainians released in first stage of prisoner swap with Russia return to families | AFP

Ukrainian prisoners of war are welcomed by relatives and crowds with Ukrainian flags after being released in the first stage of a major prisoner swap with Russia on 23 May 2025. A massive Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv wounded at least 15 people hours after Russia and Ukraine completed the first stage of the prisoner exchange agreed at talks last week in Istanbul and just before the second stage on Saturday.