A massive prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine the only concrete outcome of peace talks was thrown into doubt Saturday after Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of postponing and thwarting the swap.The hold-up to an exchange that both sides said would occur this weekend came as Moscows army released a barrage of rockets, drones and bombs across the nation overnight and throughout Saturday, eliminating at least 10 people.At talks in Istanbul on Monday, Kyiv and Moscow accepted release all wounded soldiers and those aged under 25 who had actually been recorded more than 1,000 individuals on each side.Russia stated it would likewise hand back the remains of 6,000 killed Ukrainian soldiers.Moscow on Saturday implicated Ukraine of not showing up to gather the bodies and not agreeing a date to swap the caught soldiers, while Kyiv said Russia was playing unclean video games by not sticking to the concurred criteria for the exchange.
The Ukrainian side has actually suddenly postponed for an indefinite period both the acceptance of the bodies and the exchange of prisoners of war, Russias top negotiator Vladimir Medinsky stated on social media.A Defense Ministry spokesman stated the Ukrainian side is still refraining from setting a date for the very first stage of the prisoner swap.Dirty video gamesThe exchange was set to be the biggest of the war, topping last months 1,000-for-1,000 swap that was concurred at a first round of talks in Istanbul.After the Istanbul talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said it would take place this weekend, while Russia said it was all set for Saturday, Sunday or Monday.Responding to Russias accusations, Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War stated no date had been concurred for the return of bodies.It also stated a list of names Russia said would be released did not match the regards to the agreement.
Unfortunately, rather of useful discussion, we are once again confronted with controls, it said in a statement on social media.
We get in touch with the Russian side to stop playing dirty video games and return to constructive work to bring individuals back to both sides and to clearly implement the agreement in the coming days, it added.The spat came hours after Russia introduced a huge aerial attack throughout Ukraine, heavily targeting the city of Kharkiv.At least 10 people were killed in the over night barrage and attacks throughout Saturday, authorities stated.Powerful attackKharkiv came under the most powerful attack since the start of the major war, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said.Four people were killed and more than 20 injured as homes and apartment blocks were mauled over night and assisted bombs were dropped on the city on Saturday afternoon.Three individuals were likewise killed in the frontline Donetsk area, which has seen the most intense fighting of the war, and three more in the Kherson area, likewise partly occupied by Moscows forces.Since Russia got into in February 2022, 10s of thousands have actually been eliminated, with millions forced to leave their homes as cities and villages throughout eastern Ukraine have been destroyed.Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha required Kyivs Western allies to punish Russia for refusing to stop its intrusion.
To put an end to Russias killing and destruction, more pressure on Moscow is required, as are more steps to strengthen Ukraine, he stated on social media.The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had fired 206 drones and nine rockets in the overnight barrage.Russias Defense Ministry stated it had released a group strike against military-industrial facilities in Ukraine.Despite talks, the 2 sides have made no progress towards stopping the fighting.Russian President Vladimir Putin has actually issued a host of sweeping demands on Ukraine as preconditions to a truce.They consist of completely pulling soldiers out of 4 regions declared by Russia, however which its army does not completely control, an end to Western military support and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO.Zelensky has dismissed the needs as old ultimatums, questioned the function of more such talks and called for a summit to be participated in by him, Putin and Trump.