Russia, Ukraine carry out long-awaited prisoner swap

Saturday, 7 September 2019 15:56

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) welcomes former prisoners as they disembark from a plane on September 7, 2019 at Boryspil international airport in Kiev. SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP

Russia and Ukraine swapped prisoners on Saturday in a step seen as a sign of improving relations between the two countries.

There has been a deep freeze in ties since Moscow annexed the Crimea region in 2014.

A Russian aircraft carrying freed Russian prisoners from Kiev landed in Moscow while a Ukrainian plane with released Ukrainian prisoners aboard touched down in Kiev.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hugged and shook hands with the freed Ukrainians while Russia's Rossiya 24 TV showed Russian prisoners disembarking the plane in Moscow.

More from International News

Netanyahu orders deeper Israeli incursion into Lebanon to hit Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered troops to move further into Lebanon in the battle against Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.
US military says it turned away blockade runner trying to reach Iranian port

The US military has announced that it fired a missile into the engine room of a vessel trying to get through the US blockade of Iran on Friday.
Illegal mine collapses in China, killing five just days after Shanxi disaster

A mine shaft collapse during an illegal mining operation in China's southwestern Yunnan province killed five people and injured one, state media reported, days after the country's deadliest mining accident since 2009 left at least 82 dead.
Israel troops capture Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon push against Hezbollah

Israeli troops have seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle and its strategic ridge in southern Lebanon, the military said on Sunday, a major advance against Hezbollah despite a ceasefire announced more than six weeks ago.