Emotional reunions, dashed hopes as Ukraine soldiers releasedFamily members joyfully and apprehensively waited to be reunited with loved ones captured by Russia in the war with Ukraine. Your son has been released," the message read, two years after Russia captured the young soldier. Russia and Ukraine exchanged 157 respective prisoners of war on Thursday, the first such swap between the two warring countries since October. Since then, his father has attended practically every prisoner exchange -- one of the rare areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and Russia throughout the four-year war. After the emotional reunions, those freed were immediately sent for medical checkups in one of the hospital's buildings.

Source: Bangkok Post February 05, 2026 23:26 UTC