Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Efforts Amid Ongoing Prisoner Exchange in Ukraine**

As part of a complicated process, President Zelensky confirmed that wounded soldiers and those under the age of 25 are returning to Ukraine in a prisoner swap involving both nations amid renewed hostilities.**

A prisoner exchange is currently unfolding between Russia and Ukraine, with both governments confirming the details as they progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the exchange, which will occur "in several stages" over the next few days, focuses on returning the wounded, seriously injured, and soldiers under 25 years of age. In a message on Telegram, Zelensky emphasized the complexity of the process, noting that "there are many sensitive details" and that negotiations are ongoing virtually every day.

Russia has indicated that a "similar number" of prisoners of war have been returned to Ukraine, although specific figures have not been disclosed by either party. Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry reported that this first group of young servicemen was repatriated from Ukrainian-controlled territories following an agreement reached during discussions held last week in Turkey. As with previous exchanges, the repatriated soldiers are receiving medical and psychological support in Belarus.

On the ground in Ukraine, families of prisoners of war and the missing gathered in the Chernihiv region, near the Belarus border, to welcome the released soldiers while simultaneously seeking updates on others still in captivity. Last week, both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of hampering the return of fallen soldiers' bodies, showcasing the strained circumstances surrounding the exchange process. In late May, a significant exchange had been conducted involving 390 soldiers and civilians, marking the largest such event since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Meanwhile, military operations continue to intensify, with Russia launching a record 479 drone strikes on Ukrainian targets, including an area in the western region of Rivne that had previously avoided direct attacks. The Russian defense ministry described these strikes as "retaliatory" in nature, reportedly aimed at a military base in Dubno as a response to audacious drone attacks targeting Russian airfields earlier in the month. Although damage occurred in multiple regions of Ukraine during these assaults, there have been no immediate reports of casualties.

In response to the escalated conflict, Ukraine acknowledged targeting a Russian airbase in the Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 400 miles from its borders, claiming it is home to aircraft involved in hypersonic missile launches. Ukrainian officials reported damage to two enemy aircraft and targeted an electronics factory believed to be producing components for drones and bombs, leading to significant explosions and the suspension of operations at the site.