Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine has submitted a list of 1,000 detainees to Russia as part of preparations for a major prisoner exchange between the two sides amid the ongoing conflict.
According to Ukraine’s presidential press service, Zelensky said the proposed “1,000 for 1,000” prisoner exchange was being actively prepared and was expected to take place soon.
“The prisoner exchange, 1,000 for 1,000, is being prepared and must take place. The Americans assumed responsibility for these guarantees,” Zelensky said in his evening address on Sunday. He also reiterated the need to end the conflict with Russia and ensure long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky said Moscow was now indicating readiness for direct talks. “Now Putin himself says that he is finally ready for real meetings. We pushed him a little toward this, and we have long been ready for such meetings ourselves, now a format must be found,” he said.
3-Day Ceasefire in Effect
Russia and Ukraine had on Friday agreed to a three-day ceasefire coinciding with Victory Day commemorations, along with the planned exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side.
However, both countries on Sunday accused each other of repeatedly violating the temporary truce.
Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed Ukrainian forces committed 16,071 ceasefire violations over the previous 24 hours. Moscow said its troops responded with retaliatory strikes targeting artillery systems, command centres and drone launch sites. A day earlier, the ministry had reported 8,970 alleged ceasefire breaches across several regions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities said at least one person was killed and 15 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine despite the ceasefire arrangement. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces said Russian troops carried out around 60 attacks on Ukrainian positions on Sunday.
The temporary ceasefire was scheduled to remain in effect from Saturday through Monday during Russia’s Victory Day celebrations.