Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap frees 160 POWs in latest exchange
Ukraine completed another prisoner swap with Russia, releasing 160 Ukrainian POWs in a 160-for-160 exchange confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry; Zelensky said authorities will verify every name and aim to return all captives, including Azovstal defenders. Separately, the EU extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 2028 but will bar military-age men from using it, at Kyiv's request. In Crimea, Russian-installed authorities declared a regional state of emergency as Ukraine intensified drone strikes targeting infrastructure and Russian vessels, including strikes on ships near Kerch and the Kerch Strait area.