Ukraine and Russia Exchange Holiday Packages for Prisoners in Rare Meeting

Representatives from both nations met in Belarus to exchange gifts, letters, and prisoner information despite ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian and Russian officials exchanged 1,500 holiday packages and letters for prisoners during a meeting in Belarus, marking a rare public interaction between the two sides.
The exchange included lists of prisoners and detained civilians, along with the return of over 500 Ukrainian soldiers' remains from Russia.
The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated the exchange, with Belarus hosting the meeting as a neutral location.
Despite the humanitarian gesture, fighting continues, with nearly 200 Russian attacks reported in eastern and southern Ukraine on Friday alone.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany for delivering an advanced Iris-T air defense system after a deadly missile strike in Kyiv damaged embassies and civilian areas.