Russia and Ukraine exchange 103 prisoners in major swap deal brokered by UAE

Russia and Ukraine successfully exchanged 103 prisoners each on Saturday (Sep 14) in a significant swap deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Russian defence ministry reported that the soldiers released by Ukraine were captured during last month’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region by Ukrainian forces.

Russian soldiers return to Belarus for medical and psychological assistance

The Russian defence ministry stated that the returned servicemen were brought to Belarus, where they received psychological and medical assistance. Additionally, they were given the opportunity to contact their families. The exchange comes amid rising tensions between Moscow and NATO over Ukraine’s use of long-range strike missiles.

Russia intensifies attacks in Ukraine’s Sumy region

Russian forces escalated their attacks in Ukraine’s Sumy region on Friday, launching 84 strikes that targeted 15 border sites, according to regional authorities. Reuters reported that at least two people were killed in the strikes.

Despite Ukraine’s offensive in Kursk, Russia’s westward advance continued. Russian forces claimed to have captured the village of Zhelanne Pershe in the Donetsk region.

Russia threatens to destroy Kyiv in response to missile strikes

Former Russian President and senior security official Dmitry Medvedev issued a stern warning, stating that Russia might destroy Kyiv in response to Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles. Medvedev emphasized that although Russia had “formal grounds” to use nuclear weapons due to Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk, Moscow would opt for non-nuclear weapons in any retaliatory strike. He further cautioned that if President Putin’s patience ran out, Russia could turn Kyiv into a “giant melted spot.”

Outgoing NATO chief reflects on Ukraine war

Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the alliance had foreseen Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but admitted that more should have been done to prevent it. He told a German newspaper that although intelligence services had warned of the invasion, seeing it unfold was still shocking. Stoltenberg noted that the invasion marked a pivotal turning point in European history.