Ukraine conducted another prisoner swap with Russia, returning home dozens of wounded, ill, and young defenders, many of whom had been held since 2022. Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and POW HQ did not specify the exact number of POWs returned in this exchange. One of the photos shows at least 41 people.

Fourth exchange in one week

On 14 June 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on his official Telegram channel that Ukraine had carried out the fourth prisoner exchange in a single week.

“We continue to bring our people back from Russian captivity,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that many of those released had been in Russian hands since 2022 and included servicemen from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and the State Special Transport Service.

“We must free everyone and we’re working toward this so that no one is left to the enemy,” Zelenskyy stated, thanking all those contributing to the process.

Wounded, seriously ill, and young defenders returned

According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, this latest exchange was part of a broader deal focusing on releasing those who are wounded or seriously ill. It was carried out under agreements previously reached with Russia in Istanbul.

The returned soldiers include members of the Armed Forces, Air Assault Forces, Navy, Territorial Defense Forces, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, and the State Special Transport Service. The Coordination Headquarters emphasized that the majority had been in captivity since 2022, with many captured during the defense of Mariupol.

High number of officers and young servicemen among released

Most of the freed defenders reportedly were officers, while some were under the age of 25. They had fought on multiple fronts, including the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Kursk directions. Their release marks a significant development in Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to bring its soldiers home.

The Coordination Headquarters confirmed that all released defenders will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and receive physical and psychological rehabilitation. They will also be granted the full financial compensation due for the duration of their captivity.

2022 Mariupol Defense

The defense of Mariupol in 2022 resulted in heavy losses for Ukraine, with hundreds of servicemen captured after the fall of the Azovstal plant. Since then, Ukraine has conducted multiple prisoner swaps, often focusing on those with severe injuries or health conditions, facilitated through international negotiations.

“Unfortunately, this is a real photo.” A doctor caring for prisoners of war could not bear what he saw on the body of his patient, a Ukrainian soldier, who returned from Russian captivity, according to UkrInform. 

The photo showing a Ukrainian soldier with the “Glory to Russia” inscription burned into his body has shocked the Ukrainian community. It is an image of a soldier who was returned to Ukraine during previous exchanges.

Representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, Andrii Yusov, has confirmed the authenticity of the shocking image.

“Unfortunately, this is a real photo. During an examination at one of the regional centers where the guys undergo rehabilitation, the doctor simply couldn’t bear what he saw, photographed and posted it,” Yusov says.

Some 90% of Ukrainian military personnel who were freed from Russian captivity reveal violations of detention conditions in one form or another, he adds.

“Violations of detention conditions, necessary nutrition standards, medical care – this is a very common phenomenon in Russian captivity. It is something that the International Committee of the Red Cross and the entire international community must work on and pressure,” Yusov claims.

Ukraine carefully documents all such facts. Yusov notes that critical weight loss by prisoners is regularly recorded during exchanges.

“This is very visually apparent, and there’s a difference in what condition the occupiers return to the so-called Russian Federation and in what condition Ukrainian defenders return,” the HUR representative emphasizes.

This information becomes part of the work of the Ukrainian investigation and justice, as well as Ukraine’s work on international legal platforms.

Ukraine has received no response from Russia to its peace proposals handed over ahead of the second round of talks in Istanbul, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said on 9 June during a joint press conference in Kyiv with Lithuanian counterpart Kęstutis Budrys, Suspilne reports.

Sybiha stated that Moscow has yet to reply to the “constructive proposals” Ukraine presented and accused the Kremlin of blocking the peace process.

“Instead, they (the Russian delegation, – Ed.) threw a list of ultimatums on the table in Istanbul, which are unacceptable to diplomats,” Sybiha said.

He emphasized the need to increase pressure on Russia and all entities aiding its war against Ukraine, pointing to the Kremlin’s actions as further proof of its unwillingness to pursue a peaceful resolution.

US repeats Ukraine-Russia talks mantra despite Russia’s rejection of ceasefires

Details of the Ukrainian memorandum

Suspilne previously obtained the full text of Ukraine’s memorandum presented during the Istanbul talks on 2 June. The document includes proposals for a ceasefire, monitoring of the truce, and a presidential meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.

It also calls for Russia’s unconditional return of all deported and displaced Ukrainian children, a full prisoner exchange, and the release of all civilian detainees. These measures are meant to cover all individuals affected since February 2014.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had disclosed on 28 May that the Ukrainian delegation had handed this memorandum to the head of the Russian negotiating team, Vladimir Medinsky.

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Russia’s conditions and response

During the 2 June session, Russia provided its own memorandum, which it claims includes steps for ending the war. According to this document, Russia demands a full withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, and recognition of these territories as Russian. The memorandum also requires Ukraine to adopt a neutral status, stop receiving weapons, and cease intelligence cooperation.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s memorandum as an “ultimatum.”

Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said the repatriation of fallen Ukrainian soldiers will begin next week as scheduled, rejecting Russian claims of delay and accusing Moscow of staging a propaganda stunt.

“Everything is proceeding as planned,” Budanov wrote on Telegram, noting that all relevant parties were informed in advance. He called the Russian narrative a “dirty information campaign.”

The return of wounded soldiers, prisoners, and up to 12,000 war dead was the only concrete outcome of the second round of peace talks held in Istanbul on 2 June. While Russia claims to have delivered 1,212 Ukrainian bodies to the designated site for exchange, Ukraine says no specific handover date had been set.

Russia pressures, Ukraine pushes back

Over the weekend, Russian officials including Vladimir Medinsky, a top aide to President Putin, and General Alexander Zorin accused Ukraine of stalling the exchange. Zorin said Russia was waiting for Kyiv’s confirmation and suggested the transfer may occur next week — a timeline consistent with Budanov’s statement.

“Some Russian propagandists are cynically exploiting human grief — grief they themselves caused,” Budanov said, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to the agreed terms and rejecting what he called unilateral pressure from Moscow.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War also denied that a final date had been confirmed. The agency accused Russia of manipulation and urged an end to what it called “dirty games” surrounding the humanitarian exchange.

Ukrainian officials have denied Russian claims that Kyiv failed to participate in a prisoner of war (POW) exchange and body repatriation effort planned on 6 June, saying no official date had yet been agreed upon.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on 7 June that Russian officials publicly accused Ukraine of refusing to engage in an exchange of POWs and bodies of killed in action (KIA) soldiers.

According to ISW, the claims were made by Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, Russian GRU Deputy Chief Alexander Zorin, and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin. They alleged that Russia was prepared to hand over severely wounded and sick POWs, those under the age of 25, and approximately 6,000 KIA bodies as agreed in Istanbul on 2 June.

Zorin further claimed that Russian representatives had waited on the Belarusian border for the Ukrainian side to finalize technical details of the exchange. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Federation Council Committee Deputy Chair Andrei Klimov also echoed accusations that Ukraine refused to accept the return of the bodies.

Ukraine refutes Russian claims

In response, the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs denied all Russian allegations. The office clarified that no date for the repatriation had yet been set and emphasized that lists for the POW exchange were still being finalized between both sides.

The Ukrainian headquarters reaffirmed Ukraine’s “full commitment” to constructive engagement aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of both the KIA repatriation and POW exchange agreements.

“The Kremlin’s unwillingness to engage in good faith in lower-level confidence building measures designed to facilitate larger peace negotiations further demonstrates Russia’s disinterest in peace negotiations,” ISW wrote.

In the cold December of 2023, Russia launched the most intense massive missile and drone strikes on Ukraine since the start of the war.

The most devastating came on 29 December, when Russia fired around 158 aerial targets, including various types of missiles. Approximately 55 people were killed, and over 170 were injured.

That same month, Ukraine began planning its largest-ever operation against Russian aircraft — and activated it in June 2025, launching hundreds of drones from trucks prepared by covert agents.

“The planning, organization, and every detail were perfectly executed. It’s safe to say this was a truly unique operation,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained.

A senior US defense official told CNN that Ukraine’s attack showed a level of sophistication that they had not seen before.

The official added that US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth received regular updates on the operation during his visit to Joint Base Andrews on 1 June but had not yet spoken to his Ukrainian counterparts.

This chain of events unfolded as Russia and Ukraine returned to tense peace talks in Istanbul, shadowed by uncertainty. Ahead of the talks, US President Donald Trump had voiced frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s resistance to advancing the negotiations.

Putin had proposed “direct talks” in Turkiye earlier in the month but failed to appear, even after Zelenskyy agreed to the meeting. In the end, both countries sent only low-level delegations.

6,000 for 6,000: Kyiv and Moscow have agreed on the largest exchange of fallen soldiers since the full-scale war began in the latest meeting in Istanbul. 

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who leads the Ukrainian delegation, has announced that the parties agreed on a new large-scale swap at the negotiations. 

“We have agreed on exchanges. We will soon provide details,” he said after the talks.

According to the minister, the focus was on three key categories:

• Severely wounded and seriously ill prisoners of war,
• Young soldiers aged 18 to 25,
• Bodies of fallen soldiers.

The sides have agreed on an “all-for-all” exchange principle for each category. This includes exchanging 6,000 bodies of fallen soldiers for the same number from the Russian side.

In addition, the Ukrainian side handed over to Russia a list of several hundred kidnapped Ukrainian children who were illegally deported to Russia. Ukraine insists on their immediate return.

The negotiations ended following Ukraine’s biggest Spiderweb operation, which damaged or destroyed 40 Russian aircraft. Many military experts and officials have praised the strikes, calling them the future of modern warfare. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said neither Ukraine nor its partners have clear information about Russia’s agenda for upcoming negotiations in Istanbul scheduled for 2 June, calling the situation “not very serious.”

“As of now, there is no clear information about what the Russians are going to Istanbul with. We don’t have it, Türkiye doesn’t have it, the USA doesn’t have it either, nor do other partners. And so far this looks not very serious,” Zelenskyy said in his evening address on 31 May.

The comments come ahead of a second round of peace talks proposed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. After the first round of direct talks on 16 May in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed to prepare memorandums detailing their conditions for peace. Lavrov announced that the Russian delegation would present its list of ceasefire conditions in Türkiye.

Ukraine has already transmitted its demands to Russia and called on Moscow to do the same. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeled Kyiv’s request as “unconstructive.”

Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine is preparing new diplomatic steps with European and American partners. The president maintains daily contact with allies, he said.

“Everyone in the world wants diplomacy to work and for there to be a real ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said. “Everyone wants serious peace, and Russia must go for it. This is exactly what the agenda of meetings should be. We gave our agenda. We hope that the American side will be decisive on sanctions to help peace.”

Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak confirmed on 30 May that Ukraine is ready to participate in the next meeting with the Russian delegation in Istanbul.

Kyiv said it was committed to the search for peace, but that it was waiting for a memorandum from the Russian side setting out their proposals.

The upcoming talks follow the first direct high-level negotiations between the two countries since 2022. The Russian delegation said after the meeting that it was satisfied with the talks and that negotiations will continue with each side presenting its detailed vision for a ceasefire.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week, urging Ukraine and Russia to resume presidential negotiations. The call comes just days ahead of a planned round of peace talks in Istanbul on 2 June.

While Moscow has proposed the meeting, Kyiv has not confirmed its participation and continues to insist that Russia publish its proposed peace terms in advance.

Erdogan calls for direct presidential talks “without delay“

According to a statement from Erdogan’s office, the Turkish president told Zelenskyy that direct talks between the presidents of Ukraine and Russia would benefit the peace process and should take place “without further delay.”

Zelenskyy confirmed the call on social media, saying they discussed the potential second round of talks in Istanbul and the conditions under which Ukraine would agree to attend.

“We both agree that this meeting cannot and should not be empty,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that they also discussed the possibility of a four-party summit involving the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and the United States.

Zelensky presses for transparency before talks

Zelenskyy has previously proposed a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

Ahead of the first Istanbul meeting, Zelenskyy invited Putin to hold direct talks, but Russia instead sent a delegation led by presidential advisor Vladimir Medinsky.

Zelenskyy said he also reviewed the outcome of that earlier meeting with Erdogan, noting that its only result was a prisoner exchange.

“A ceasefire must be the basis for further progress toward peace,” he wrote.

An uncertain path to Istanbul

Erdogan echoed that view, saying that discussions around a potential ceasefire at the upcoming talks could help lay the groundwork for peace. He also emphasized the need for strong delegations from both sides.

Ukraine has not formally confirmed it will attend the June 2 talks, though officials in Kyiv say they remain open to negotiations in any format.

Ukrainian authorities continue to call on Moscow to publish its negotiating terms ahead of time, a request the Kremlin has so far refused.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia, said Moscow is willing to consider a ceasefire — but only if Ukraine stops mobilizing troops and the West ends arms deliveries.

Nebenzia’s remarks come ahead of the new round of peace talks scheduled for 2 June in Istanbul. Ukraine has urged Russia to publish its proposed peace plan beforehand. Officials in Kyiv fear Russia will issue demands they view as unacceptable, including troop withdrawals from areas Russia is trying to annex.

“We are ready to consider a ceasefire,” Nebenzia said, “but we expect reciprocal steps.”

He called for a halt in Western military support and Ukraine’s mobilization efforts as a minimum requirement.

Ukraine has dismissed similar conditions before, warning that Moscow could use any pause to regroup and gain ground on the battlefield.

Moscow escalates rhetoric at UN

Nebenzia also claimed Russia would not tolerate what he called “an anti-Russian neo-Nazi entity” near its borders — language often used by Moscow to delegitimize Ukraine’s Western orientation.

“If necessary, we will fight for this as long as it takes,” he added.

Ukraine urges immediate international pressure

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the speech, saying Moscow was using the UN platform to threaten rather than negotiate.

“This is a slap in the face to everyone calling for peace,” Sybiha wrote on X.
“Pressure on Moscow must be increased — immediately.”

Exclusive

Apocalypse comes to Kostiantynivka as tens of thousands of Russians march on the strategic town. Tens of thousands of Russian troops are surging toward Kostyantynivka. Next stop: Kramatorsk,Ukraine’s last line of defense in Donetsk Oblast. A major fight is coming.

The UN confirmed what I saw in Kherson: Russia is hunting civilians for sport. What I witnessed wasn’t random violence—it was systematic hunting.

Military

Ukraine hits Russian cruise missile factory near Moscow with long-range drones. Ukrainian drones successfully bypassed Russian air defenses to strike Raduga plant which produces the same Kh-101/555 cruise missiles that Russia uses to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure.

Frontline report: Romania and the US just drew a red line as the Black Sea boils over. As the Black Sea war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, NATO allies are tightening defenses.

Ukrainian strikes hit drone manufacturer near Moscow as Russia claims 296 Ukrainian drones shot down. A drone factory in the Moscow Oblast was hit by Ukrainian aircraft as the Russian capital’s mayor reportedly issued 17 attack warnings in one day.

Frontline report: Russian thermobaric artillery spotted in Kharkiv gets obliterated by Ukrainian drones within hours. Ukrainian intel confirms Russian assessments show four months of operational weather before seasonal mud returns, as Russian forces mass 50,000 troops to expand from limited buffer zones to full conquest of Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.

Night attack injures at least 12 people as Russia launches 88 drones and six missiles at Ukraine. Explosions were heard in Kharkiv, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Kherson and Kirovohrad oblasts

As of 28 MAY 2025, the approximate losses of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces from the beginning of the invasion to the present day:

• • • Personnel: 983890 (+1050)
    • Tanks: 10864 (+4)
    • APV: 22644 (+2)
    • Artillery systems: 28355 (+18)
    • MLRS: 1397
    • Anti-aircraft systems: 1171
    • Aircraft: 372
    • Helicopters: 336
    • UAV: 37918 (+65)
    • Cruise missiles : 3265
    • Warships/boats: 28
    • Submarines: 1
    • Vehicles and fuel tanks: 49959 (+52)

Intelligence and technology

Ukraine and Germany sign agreement on long-range weapons. Germany will directly finance long-range weapons production on Ukrainian soil under a new agreement signed by both countries’ defense ministers.

Zelenskyy: 50,000 Russian troops mass near Sumy bordering Russia’s Kursk for new offensive. The Ukrainian president stated that Moscow aims to establish a 10-km (6 miles) “buffer zone” inside Ukrainian territory, though he expressed doubt about Russian capabilities to achieve this strategic objective.

Germany allocates $5.7 billion for Ukraine for weapons, ammunition and satellite communications. Germany will fund long-range weapon systems manufactured in Ukraine under agreements reached during President Zelensky’s visit to Berlin.

Forbes: Ukraine deploys AI turrets against record Russian drone attacks. The Sky Sentinel system costs one-hundredth the price of comparable US systems while defending against 120 mph drone attacks. A prototype Ukrainian robot gun has already shot down four Shahed drones

Russia aims to produce 500 drones daily as Ukraine strikes back with 400-drone attack. Russia has received orders to produce 500 drones daily but currently maintains capacity for only 300-350, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

International

Russia delays promised ceasefire memorandum ahead of new peace talks. Ukraine gives Russia four-day deadline. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov claimed that the exchange of documents with conditions to end the war was supposed to be mutual following the 16 May Istanbul meeting, but only Ukraine has delivered its proposals to Russian delegation head.

Trump uncertain if Putin wants to end war, open to joining Zelensky-Putin meeting if needed. Trump also noted that he was very “disappointed” by the recent deadly attacks on civilians in Ukraine during the negotiation process.

Senior Russian official responds to Trump comment with World War III threat. US envoy calls this “reckless”. Keith Kellogg called for a ceasefire and reminded that the US is still awaiting the Russian memorandum for ending the war.

Putin-Zelenskyy meeting possible but needs delegation agreements, Kremlin says. Russia’s top spokesman confirmed Moscow remains open to a Putin-Zelenskyy meeting but only after their negotiating teams reach preliminary agreements.

Record 81% of Europeans support common defense policy amid Ukraine war. Trust in the European Union has reached its highest point in 18 years. A poll shows that 59% of EU citizens support the purchase and supply of weapons for Ukraine.

Reuters: Russia demands written pledge to halt “NATO eastward expansion” and sanctions relief. Putin wants Ukraine’s neutrality, protection for Russian speakers, and guarantees against NATO membership for former Soviet republics, while Ukraine rejects all these demands.

Zelenskyy visits Germany as Taurus missile debate intensifies over Ukraine aid. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on 28 May as Germany’s new chancellor considers reversing his predecessor’s ban on Taurus missile deliveries.

Lithuania aid meant for Ukrainians went to citizens of other countries, including Russia and Belarusia. The European Social Fund Agency dismissed its director after an audit revealed that over $1,1 mn in Ukrainian refugee aid went to ineligible recipients.

Humanitarian and social impact

“Russia destroys future of Ukraine”: Russian missile strike killed three siblings aged 8, 12, 17. Hundreds of Ukrainians attended funeral services for the Martyniuk children, including 17-year-old Roman, 8-year-old Stanislav, and 12-year-old Tamara, whose parents survived the attack.

Political and legal developments

Russia builds power lines to restart and connect seized Ukrainian nuclear plant to its grid. The occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, captured by Russian forces in March 2022, would become the first nuclear facility seized by one nation during war and operated for another country’s energy needs if Moscow’s plans succeed.

Read our earlier daily review here.