Ukraine celebrates release of over 200 captives in surprise swap with Russia
by Shaun Walker in Kyiv from World news | The Guardian on (#63YGK)
Commanders who led defence of Azovstal steelworks among those freed in exchange for Putin ally and 55 Russian soldiers
Ukraine has celebrated the release of more than 200 of its citizens from Russian captivity, including the fighters who led the defence of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
It was the biggest prisoner swap since the start of Russia's invasion in February, and came as a surprise during a week in which the Kremlin raised the stakes again in Ukraine, promising to hold sham referendums" to annex Ukrainian territory and threatening nuclear strikes if thwarted.
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