Ukraine announced on Thursday that its forces have captured 909 Russian soldiers over six months of intense fighting in Russia’s western Kursk region.
Kyiv says one of the main objectives of its cross-border military operation, launched in August, was to secure Russian prisoners who could be exchanged for Ukrainian troops held in Russian captivity.
“During the operation, Ukrainian forces captured 909 Russian servicemen, significantly replenishing the exchange fund,” the Ukrainian military said in a statement.
“This made it possible to bring home hundreds of Ukrainian defenders who had been held in Russian prisons,” it added.
Despite nearly three years of war, Kyiv and Moscow continue to engage in prisoner exchanges. Ukraine has made securing the release of its captured soldiers a key priority in negotiations.
Last year, Ukrainian forces reported capturing more than 700 Russian troops during operations in the Kursk region.
Ukraine’s offensive, the largest by a foreign military inside Russia since World War II, initially saw rapid territorial gains. However, in recent months, Ukrainian troops have struggled to maintain control over the areas they seized.
Kyiv insists that holding territory in Kursk remains a crucial bargaining chip in any potential peace negotiations, even as Russian forces continue to make steady advances along the eastern front.
The Kremlin has yet to respond to Ukraine’s latest claims.
