President Zelensky.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that his country was trying to restart a prisoner swap with Russia, which could lead to the return of about 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustam Umerov had announced progress in the talks a day earlier.

Zelensky wrote on Twitter, “We are confident of starting the exchange of prisoners of war.” To ensure this, many meetings and talks are currently taking place.

Türkiye and UAE mediation

Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustam Umerov said on Saturday that he consulted with the mediation of Turkey and the United Arab Emirates to resume the exchange of prisoners. He said the parties have agreed to activate prisoner exchange agreements brokered in Istanbul to release 1,200 Ukrainians. Russia did not immediately comment on this.

Russia and Ukraine handed over thousands of prisoners

The Istanbul Accords refer to the 2022 prisoner exchange protocol, brokered by Türkiye, which sets out the rules for large, coordinated exchanges. Since then, Russia and Ukraine have handed over thousands of prisoners to each other. Ukraine is desperately trying to escape the ongoing Russian air strikes, which have resulted in power outages across Ukraine as winter begins.

Russia fired 176 drones and one missile

The Ukrainian Air Force said on Sunday that Russia fired a total of 176 drones and one missile overnight and Ukrainian forces shot down or disabled 139 drones. On the front, Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Sunday that its forces had captured two settlements in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhia region.