Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the largest swaps since the start of the war. The deal was based on agreements made earlier in Istanbul.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that another round of prisoner exchanges with Ukraine had been completed under agreements reached in Istanbul on 2 June.
The Russian soldiers are currently in neighbouring Belarus, receiving psychological and medical support. The Russian Defence Ministry published a video on Wednesday showing soldiers cheering as they boarded buses headed for home.
"All Russian servicemen will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities of the Russian Defense Ministry," it said.
In return, a group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was handed over to Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, celebrating the return of more than a 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers on Wednesday. Many of them were seriously wounded and some were held for more than three years. He stressed the importance of ongoing exchanges and reiterated Ukraine’s call for peace.
"The warriors returning today defended Ukraine on various fronts. A significant number had been in captivity for more than three years. All of them will receive the necessary support and medical care," said Zelenskyy.
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The chief executive of Google DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, has called for more urgent research into the risks posed by artificial intelligence, warning that stronger safeguards are needed as systems become more advanced.
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Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer ASOS, has died in Pattaya, Thailand, after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium on 9 February, Thai police confirmed.
A seven-month-old Japanese macaque has captured global attention after forming an unusual but heart-warming bond with a stuffed orangutan toy following abandonment by its mother.
Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee has announced it will boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics in Verona on 6 March, citing the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow some Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of on Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law, after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 22nd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Islamic State claimed two attacks on Syrian army personnel on Saturday (22 February), saying they marked the start of a new phase of operations against the country’s leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Pakistan said it carried out cross-border strikes on militant targets inside Afghanistan after blaming a series of recent suicide bombings, including attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, on fighters it said were operating from Afghan territory.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved new sanctions targeting Russian maritime operators, defence-linked companies and individuals connected to Moscow’s military and energy sectors, according to official decrees issued on Saturday.
Divers have recovered the bodies of seven Chinese tourists and a Russian driver after their minibus broke through the ice of on Lake Baikal in Russia, authorities said.
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