Thu Jul 24 05:50:00 UTC 2025: **Ukraine and Russia Agree to Prisoner Exchange After Istanbul Talks; Kyiv Protests Anti-Corruption Move**
**Istanbul, Turkey** – Negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul concluded swiftly on Wednesday, resulting in an agreement for another prisoner exchange. According to reports, the discussions lasted less than an hour.
The news follows Ukraine’s announcement that over 1,000 prisoners of war were returned from Russia as part of a previous exchange agreed upon in Istanbul. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy celebrated the return of “seriously ill and severely wounded defenders,” vowing to provide them with necessary support. Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky stated that the agreement included the exchange of 1,200 prisoners of war on each side. Russia also offered to hand over the bodies of 3,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers.
Medinsky also mentioned Russia’s offer of a 24 to 48-hour ceasefire and reiterated that a meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Putin should be reserved for signing agreements, not discussions.
Meanwhile, back in Kyiv, several thousand people rallied in protest against legislation signed by President Zelenskyy that demonstrators say weakens the independence of anti-corruption bodies. Protesters have urged Zelenskyy to veto the law, arguing that it undermines Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union. Zelenskyy responded by promising to submit a new bill that addresses the concerns raised.
In other developments, Ukrainian authorities, in collaboration with French authorities and Europol, arrested the alleged operator of a major Russian-language cybercrime platform. The suspect is believed to have facilitated the exchange of stolen data and hacking tools, generating millions of euros.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized Zelenskyy’s move to limit the independence of anti-corruption bodies. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius requested guarantees that US-manufactured Patriot systems delivered to Ukraine would be replaced within a timeframe of six to eight months.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright mentioned the possibility of sanctioning Russian oil in an effort to end the war in Ukraine. The EU and the US have already implemented sanctions on Russian energy enterprises, but Russia has continued to sell oil through alternative methods.
Lastly, President Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine’s air force lost one of its French Mirage fighter jets. He attributed the loss to technical failure. The pilot ejected safely.
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