Russia and Ukraine conduct largest prisoner exchange. Ukraine repatriated 230 prisoners, 224 soldiers and 6 civilians. The exchange comes amid escalating violence between Russia and Ukraine in recent days, with strikes from both sides that have left dozens of civilians dead and wounded. The prisoners returning to Ukraine belong to the various arms of its armed forces, including soldiers who participated in the almost three-month defense of the Azovstal steel plant in the port city of Mariupol, before it was taken over by Russian forces in May.