Thu Jun 26 18:47:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing and rewriting the provided text:

**Headline: Russia and Ukraine Conduct Prisoner Swap Amid Ongoing Clashes and Stalled Peace Talks**

**Summary:**

Moscow and Kyiv have confirmed a prisoner exchange, bringing home soldiers from both sides, though the exact numbers released remain undisclosed. The swap occurs against a backdrop of continued fighting, including Russian airstrikes and reported territorial gains, coupled with stalled diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. While both sides agreed in June to a larger prisoner exchange, fundamental disagreements regarding territorial concessions continue to impede broader peace negotiations.

**News Article:**

**KYIV/MOSCOW –** Russia and Ukraine announced Thursday the completion of another prisoner of war exchange, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing conflict. Officials in both Moscow and Kyiv confirmed the swap but refrained from specifying the number of soldiers returned.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of Ukrainian “warriors” on X, noting that many had been held captive since 2022. “We are doing everything possible to find each person… We must bring all our people home,” he stated, thanking those involved in the repatriation efforts.

Russia’s Ministry of Defence echoed the announcement via Telegram, confirming the return of Russian servicemen from Ukraine. The soldiers are currently in Belarus receiving medical and psychological support before being transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.

The prisoner exchange comes after a commitment made during direct talks in Turkey in June, where both sides pledged to swap at least 1,000 soldiers. However, this isolated point of cooperation has failed to translate into broader progress toward ending the war.

Negotiations for a ceasefire remain stalled, primarily due to Russia’s insistence on retaining control over occupied territories, a demand vehemently rejected by Kyiv.

The exchange occurred as fighting continues on the front lines. Russian air strikes reportedly killed at least one person and wounded two others in the Kherson region. Meanwhile, Russia announced the capture of two Ukrainian villages in the Donetsk region. Ukraine’s army chief, Oleksandr Syrskii, has ordered the reinforcement of defensive lines as Russian forces advance towards the Dnipropetrovsk region.

In a separate development, President Zelenskyy signed an accord with the Council of Europe on Thursday, aiming to bring top Russian officials to trial for the invasion of Ukraine, signaling Kyiv’s continued pursuit of accountability for the conflict.

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