Ukraine and Russia carry out biggest prisoner swap since war began

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in the biggest single release of captives since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday that 230 of its prisoners were released while Russia said 248 of its soldiers were returned after mediation by the United Arab Emirates.

Homes have been destroyed, and millions of children have started 2024 “under the sounds of sirens and bombardment, stoking a familiar fear”, said a UNICEF’s official in Ukraine.