Latest news with #KyryloBudanov
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Polish president presents Ukraine's Defence Intelligence chief with one of Poland's highest honours for foreigners
President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda has presented Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), with the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland – one of the highest state awards available to foreign nationals. Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Quote: "For outstanding contribution to the development of international cooperation and partnership connecting the Republic of Poland with other states and nations, President of Poland Andrzej Duda has presented Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, with one of the highest honours the Republic of Poland can bestow on foreigners – the Gold Officer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland." Details: The award was presented on behalf of the Polish president by Colonel Dominik Duda, Deputy Head of Poland's Intelligence Agency. During the ceremony, he stressed the importance of the Polish-Ukrainian partnership in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine. Polish officials stated that the role played by Ukraine's military intelligence in countering Russian aggression is a key factor in ensuring the security of the entire European continent. Quote from Budanov: "I sincerely thank President Andrzej Duda for his trust and willingness to recognise the close Polish-Ukrainian relationship! Today's war is a fight for freedom, for our principles and the values of a united Europe. Only together can we resist the Russian horde and overcome this age-old threat to Poland and Ukraine. Our nations will always stand as one stronghold in the struggle for a peaceful future without war." More details: President Duda also presented the Knight's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland to Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. For reference: The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland is presented to foreign nationals who have made a significant contribution to fostering good neighbourly relations and international cooperation. Previous recipients include former US President Ronald Reagan, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chaos to coordination: the evolution of POW swaps in the Russia-Ukraine war
The nature, size, and political significance of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have evolved significantly over the three and a half years of the full-scale war, accelerating sharply in recent weeks. While ceasefire and peace negotiations have gone through periods of halts and bursts, increasingly institutionalized prisoner exchanges are one of the few enduring areas of direct cooperation between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. On average, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 135 prisoners — mostly military, but with a sizable civilian component – each month from February 2022 through May 2025 (excluding the planned 1,000 for 1,000 exchange that began on May 23). But a deeper inspection of the data reveals a number of meaningful trends. Prisoner exchange numbers have surged — 277 individuals changed hands in April, and this weekend alone, 1,000 brave Ukrainians will come home. The picture is unrecognizable from last year, when prisoners were only returned on special occasions and holidays. Prisoner exchanges have been shaped by competing (and sometimes mutually exclusive) priorities including backchannel logistics, battlefield developments, and geopolitics. New data collected by KI Insights, an analytical research unit backed by the Kyiv Independent, gives a look behind the curtain into the institutionalization of prisoner exchanges. The full-scale invasion brought two meaningful institutional changes to prisoner exchanges. Firstly, Russia became an official party to the conflict, creating room to directly engage in negotiations. (Before the full-scale invasion, the Russian Federation denied its involvement in aggression in Ukraine, and negotiations were done through Russian-backed proxies in occupied Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.) Secondly, Ukraine created the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, an interagency working group created by the Cabinet of Ministers in March of 2022, which is responsible for prisoner exchanges. Since its creation, the Coordination Headquarters has gone through meaningful changes. Roles and responsibilities have changed hands, priorities have been defined, and each agency has a specific process it is responsible for. Kyrylo Budanov, leader of the Coordination Headquarters (since June of 2022, taking over from Iryna Vereshchuk) and Ukraine's chief of military intelligence, has successfully turned prisoner exchanges into an institution. Data collected by KI Insights demonstrates the impact of institutionalization. The average number of prisoners swapped per exchange has steadily increased, growing by approximately 50% each year. The number of swaps, however, has been inconsistent, with frequent breakdowns until late last year. In 2022, an average of 50 prisoners were returned to Ukraine per exchange. In 2025, the number has risen to more than 200, with this weekend's exchanges driving the number higher. The Istanbul negotiations failed to achieve a ceasefire, proving once again, Russia does not want peace. But for the prisoners who returned home, they were meaningful. The exchange also underscores an interesting dynamic of this war. There are lines of communication between Ukraine and Russia, and enough trust between officials to work together to return prisoners home. That is significant — the current frontline in Ukraine is more than 1,200 kilometers long, and any ceasefire will require significant amounts of communication and trust between Ukrainian and Russian officials. Russia has broken off prisoner exchanges at key points over the war, often when Russia thinks it can inflict maximum psychological damage. Following the siege of Mariupol and Ukraine's unsuccessful counteroffensive, Russia froze prisoner exchanges. Russian soldiers also tortured and killed Ukrainian prisoners of war at Olenivka Prison and on the battlefield. Refusing to return prisoners is a tactic Russia uses to exploit existing divisions in Ukrainian society and exploit the pain of families of the imprisoned as a political resource. For Russia, prisoners are resources — for psychological warfare and for bargaining. While pressure from the United States hasn't brought Russia to the table for a ceasefire, it likely has caused Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a show of reasonableness by agreeing to a prisoner exchange. The latest exchange is historic and could be a tipping point that helps U.S. President Donald Trump realize that U.S. pressure on Russia makes a difference. It could also solidify the shadowy infrastructure built between warring states and set the stage for an all-for-all prisoner exchange. Maybe it could, as Trump puts it, 'lead to something big???' Even if it doesn't, it is a battle won on the road to returning Ukrainians to Ukraine. Read also: BREAKING: Ukraine, Russia hold largest prisoner swap since start of Russia's war We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Saudi Gazette
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Ukraine, Russia prepare for 1,000 to 1,000 prisoner of war exchange
KYIV — A major prisoner swap involving 1,000 captives from each side may take place next week, Ukrainian officials confirmed Saturday following peace talks with Russia in Istanbul. 'I hope it will happen next week,' said Ukrainian intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov in remarks to TSN, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine. 'There will be an exchange — whoever we can take, we will take. And give it back in the same way.' Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Kyiv's delegation at the talks, said both sides had agreed in principle on the format and timeline of the exchange. 'We know the date, but we won't say it yet,' he added. Russian presidential aide and chief negotiator Volodymyr Medinsky also confirmed that preparations were underway for the proposed "1,000 for 1,000" exchange. Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, stated that the formal process of returning Ukrainian prisoners of war has begun. The May 16 meeting in Istanbul was part of Türkiye's mediation efforts to end the war, focusing on humanitarian arrangements such as a ceasefire and prisoner releases. Both sides remain far apart on broader political issues, but the agreement marks a step forward in de-escalation efforts. — Agencies
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has launched preparatory steps for a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia involving 1,000 detainees from each side, the agency announced on May 17. The Joint Coordination Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners, operating under the SBU, is compiling a list of Russian military personnel currently held in Ukrainian custody who may be handed over to Russia as part of the swap. Simultaneously, the SBU, together with the Health Ministry and other relevant state agencies, is preparing to receive Ukrainian soldiers now held by Russian forces. Efforts include setting up necessary infrastructure, designated locations, and medical staff to facilitate the transfer, escort, and rehabilitation of returning servicemen. The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025. Earlier on May 17, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Military Intelligence, said he hopes the exchange will take place next week, expressing optimism about the absence of major obstacles. While Ukraine has pushed for a comprehensive "all-for-all" exchange, Russia has resisted such proposals. Kyiv has not disclosed the full number of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia. Prisoner swaps remain one of the few ongoing points of cooperation between the two countries amid continuing war. Ukraine's delegation traveled to Istanbul this week for Russian-initiated peace talks, though President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Moscow for sending what he called a "sham delegation." Russian President Vladimir Putin declined to attend, instead appointing his aide Vladimir Medinsky to lead Moscow's team. Read also: As Russia sticks to hardline demands during peace talks, Europe frustrated with Trump's swerves, Bloomberg reports We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Security Service prepares for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has begun preparations to implement a thousand-for-thousand prisoner exchange agreement with Russia. Source: the SSU in a statement Details: The SSU's Joint Centre for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners is compiling a list of the Russian military personnel that Ukraine may transfer as part of the swap. Meanwhile, the SSU, together with the Ministry of Health and other state agencies, is getting all the necessary infrastructure ready to receive Ukrainian military personnel after they are released from captivity – from logistics to medical staff, support and rehabilitation. Background: Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), has said he is confident that the thousand-for-thousand prisoner exchange with Russia will take place next week. On 16 May, Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of DIU, reported that Ukraine has begun reviewing the lists of POWs who are to be brought back to Ukraine as part of the prisoner swap with Russia. An agreement on the simultaneous release and exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side was reached between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on 16 May 2025. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
