Russia, Ukraine Exchange 614 Prisoners Amid Kyiv Missile Strike

Russia and Ukraine completed the second day of a major prisoner exchange, each side releasing 307 soldiers as part of a broader agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners each, marking the largest such exchange in over three years. This rare cooperation follows talks held in Istanbul earlier in June, although fighting continues unabated with Russia launching a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and other regions, causing injuries and damage to civilian areas. Ukrainian forces intercepted the majority of these attacks using air defenses and electronic warfare, but at least 15 people were reported injured in Kyiv alone. Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the strikes, calling for increased sanctions on Moscow and highlighting Ukraine's repeated offers for a ceasefire, which Russia has rejected. Meanwhile, Russia indicated it plans to present a draft peace agreement to Ukraine after the prisoner exchanges conclude, though details remain undisclosed. The prisoner swap and ongoing attacks underscore the complex and fragile dynamics of the conflict, with both sides signaling aspirations for peace amid continued hostilities.