Zelenskiy successfully repatriates Azovstal commanders from Turkey
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy returned from his visit to Turkey, bringing back five former commanders of Ukraine's garrison in Mariupol, despite a prisoner exchange agreement that required them to remain in Turkey. Russia criticized the release, stating that Turkey had violated the terms of the exchange and failed to inform Moscow. The commanders, hailed as heroes in Ukraine for their defense of Mariupol during Russia's invasion, were held in tunnels and bunkers under the Azovstal steel plant until they surrendered in May 2020. The release of the commanders is seen as a result of pressure from Turkey's NATO allies ahead of the upcoming alliance summit, where Ukraine hopes to receive a positive signal about its future membership.