Ukraine repatriates 160 military personnel; Russia launches missiles and drones

Ukraine repatriated 160 military personnel, including Mariupol defenders, in the 76th exchange. Separately, Russia launched 7 ballistic missiles and 189 drones at Kyiv and Poltava regions, with some striking targets.
Ukraine successfully repatriated 160 military personnel in the 76th prisoner exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed. All individuals had been held since 2022, with 115 identified as defenders of Mariupol, aged between 26 and 66. The Russian Ministry of Defense also acknowledged the exchange. While [Українська правда]'s headline stated the individuals were held for four years, its article body and other reports confirmed they were held since 2022.
Separately, Russian forces launched seven Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 189 uncrewed aerial vehicles towards the Kyiv and Poltava regions overnight on June 26. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 177 targets, including three ballistic missiles and 174 drones, but four missiles and eleven drones struck various sites. Ukraine's General Staff updated its assessment of Russian military personnel losses to 1,398,370 since the full-scale invasion, with 1,310 reported in the preceding 24 hours.
Sources: Громадське, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда
How outlets assessed this
- Українська правда Neutral Its headline incorrectly stated repatriated soldiers were held for four years, despite its body confirming since 2022.
- Українська правда Neutral Its headline stated repatriated personnel were held for four years, while the article body confirmed since 2022.
- Радіо Свобода Neutral Reported the exchange, consistently stating all personnel were held since 2022.
Sources
Earlier coverage
- Jun 26, 2026, 09:30 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, reports Russian air attacks and losses
- Jun 26, 2026, 09:00 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, intercepts Russian missiles and drones
- Jun 26, 2026, 07:30 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, Russia launches overnight strikes
- Jun 26, 2026, 07:00 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, Russia launches missile and drone attacks
- Jun 26, 2026, 06:30 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel; Russia launches air attacks
- Jun 26, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel amid ongoing Russian attacks
- Jun 26, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, Russia launches new attacks
- Jun 26, 2026, 05:00 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 soldiers; Russia launches air attacks
- Jun 26, 2026, 04:30 PM UTCUkraine repatriates 160 military personnel, reports updated Russian losses and missile strikes
- Jun 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTCUkraine returns 160 military personnel, Russia launches new attacks