Ukraine completes prisoner exchange, faces new drone attack

Ukraine repatriated 160 military personnel in its 76th exchange, including 115 Mariupol defenders, though sources differ on their captivity duration. Separately, Russia launched 129 drones overnight on June 27, with 113 intercepted.
Ukraine has completed its 76th prisoner exchange, with 160 military personnel returning from Russian captivity. Among those repatriated are 115 defenders of Mariupol, with ages ranging from 26 to 66. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Радіо Свобода indicated these soldiers had been held since 2022, while Українська правда reported their captivity lasted four years. Separately, Russian forces launched 129 uncrewed aerial vehicles against Ukraine overnight on June 27. The Ukrainian Air Forces stated that 113 of these drones were intercepted or suppressed. Hits were recorded at seven locations, and debris fell in three others across the country's northern, southern, and eastern regions. The aerial assault was reportedly ongoing into the morning. Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда
How outlets assessed this
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported President Zelenskyy's statement that soldiers were held since 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Stated that the repatriated soldiers had been in captivity for four years.
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported repatriated soldiers were held since 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Stated the repatriated soldiers had been held for four years.
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported 160 soldiers repatriated, stating their captivity began in 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Reported 160 soldiers repatriated, stating their captivity lasted four years.
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported repatriated soldiers were held since 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Stated repatriated soldiers had been in captivity for four years.
- Jun 27, 2026, 07:00 AM UTC
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported repatriated soldiers were held since 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Stated repatriated soldiers had been in captivity for four years.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Jun 27, 2026, 09:30 AM UTCZelenskyy confirms Flamingo missile strike on Russian plant; Ukraine faces drone assault, Sumy hit
- Jun 27, 2026, 09:00 AM UTCUkraine confirms strike on Russian plant; Russia attacks Sumy and launches drones
- Jun 27, 2026, 08:30 AM UTCUkraine confirms missile strike on Russian plant; Russia launches drone attack
- Jun 27, 2026, 08:00 AM UTCZelenskyy confirms Flamingo missile strike on Volgograd plant amid Russian drone attack
- Jun 27, 2026, 07:30 AM UTCUkraine conducts prisoner exchange, repels drone attack, and strikes Russian plant
- Jun 27, 2026, 06:30 AM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers, intercepts most of 129 Russian drones
- Jun 27, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers amid conflicting reports on captivity duration, new drone attack reported
- Jun 27, 2026, 05:30 AM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers, Russia launches new attacks
- Jun 27, 2026, 05:00 AM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers, Russia launches missile and drone attacks
- Jun 27, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers, reports on Russian attacks and losses