The first Ukrainian prisoners of war get off a bus during a prisoner exchange at a checkpoint near the city of Horlivka on December 27.
DW: Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels begin landmark prisoner swap
The swap comes after a recommitment to a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, where over 10,000 people have been killed. A US decision to provide Ukraine with weapons has seen Russia warn the US is encouraging "new bloodshed."
Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels began a landmark prisoner swap on Wednesday, following the recommitment to a ceasefire in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine last week.
It is the largest such swap since the 2014 outbreak of the insurgency.
During Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual news conference of December 14, he had called on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to complete a prisoner exchange in war-ravaged eastern Ukraine by New Year’s Eve.
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More News On Kyiv And Russia-Backed Separatists Exchanging Prisoners In Eastern Ukraine
Ukraine crisis: Biggest prisoner swap in conflict takes place -- BBC
Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels swap prisoners: agencies -- Reuters
Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels swap prisoners in largest exchange since fighting broke out in 2014 -- SCMP/AFP
Ukraine: Rebels and govt swap first prisoners under new deal -- Washington Post/AP
Kyiv, Russia-Backed Separatists Exchange Captives In Eastern Ukraine -- RFE
Prisoners exchange starts in Donbas -- Kyiv Post
Kiev & Donbass hold E. Ukraine conflict’s largest prisoner exchange -- RT
