Footage has emerged of some of the Ukrainian soldiers freed in Saturday’s prisoner swap reacting with excitement and disbelief as they learn about the latest developments in the war.
Some of the POWs were captured in the early days of the invasion and have had little access to information about how the conflict was developing, according to Belarusian opposition outlet Nexta, which shared the video.
In the footage, which is taken on a coach transporting the POWs, two men react with confusion when asked if they “know anything about the Kursk region”. Their faces light up when they are told “we have captured part of [it] … the war is now taking place on Russian territory as well”, with one laughing and clapping his hands together as he notes that parts of Kursk have historic Ukrainian roots.
Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into the southern border region of Kursk last month, capturing around 500 square miles of Russian territory, which it is mostly still holding, although Russia claims to have recaptured some settlements in recent days.
The men were released as part of a major prisoner swap on Saturday, which saw 103 POWs freed from each side.
Other photos and videos shared online show the released Ukrainians taking selfies, posing with flags and embracing their fellow servicemen.