Russia and Ukraine Exchange 50 Soldiers Each in Prison Release Deal 

Ukrainian troops gather for a photo after being released in prisoner swap with Russia, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location, Ukraine in this handout image released January 8, 2023. (Andriy Yermak Via Telegram/Handout via Reuters)
Ukrainian troops gather for a photo after being released in prisoner swap with Russia, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location, Ukraine in this handout image released January 8, 2023. (Andriy Yermak Via Telegram/Handout via Reuters)
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Russia and Ukraine Exchange 50 Soldiers Each in Prison Release Deal 

Ukrainian troops gather for a photo after being released in prisoner swap with Russia, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location, Ukraine in this handout image released January 8, 2023. (Andriy Yermak Via Telegram/Handout via Reuters)
Ukrainian troops gather for a photo after being released in prisoner swap with Russia, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an unknown location, Ukraine in this handout image released January 8, 2023. (Andriy Yermak Via Telegram/Handout via Reuters)

Russia and Ukraine swapped 50 captured soldiers each on Sunday in a deal that both sides welcomed even as they fought one another in eastern Ukraine. 

Russia's defense ministry said the 50 returned Russian soldiers would be flown to Moscow for medical and psychological rehabilitation. 

"On January 8, as a result of negotiations, 50 Russian servicemen, who were in mortal danger while in captivity, were returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime," it said in a statement. 

Ukraine confirmed the information and said Russia had freed 50 Ukrainian servicemen as part of the same deal. 

"Another successful POWs (prisoners of war) swap. 50 Ukrainian soldiers are back," Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office said on Twitter. 

"To be continued. We must bring all our people home, and we are on it." 

Yermak posted images of the freed Ukrainian soldiers holding bags of food near a bus they were about to board and a video of them singing the Ukrainian national anthem once underway. 



Troops Kill 30 Militants Attempting to Sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan

Police officers stand guard to secure a procession during the mourning month of Muharram in Karachi, Pakistan, 03 July 2025.  EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Police officers stand guard to secure a procession during the mourning month of Muharram in Karachi, Pakistan, 03 July 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
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Troops Kill 30 Militants Attempting to Sneak into Pakistan from Afghanistan

Police officers stand guard to secure a procession during the mourning month of Muharram in Karachi, Pakistan, 03 July 2025.  EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER
Police officers stand guard to secure a procession during the mourning month of Muharram in Karachi, Pakistan, 03 July 2025. EPA/SHAHZAIB AKBER

Pakistani security forces killed 30 militants who attempted to enter the country from Afghanistan, the military said Friday.

It said the members of the Pakistani Taliban were spotted overnight in the North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the troops seized weapons, ammunition and explosives from the militants. The military's statement did not mention if there was a gunfight or other details of the operation.

The military alleged the militants were backed by India and asked the Afghan government to prevent the use of its territory by “foreign proxies” to attack Pakistan, The Associated Press reported.

There was no immediate comment from New Delhi. Pakistani authorities often accuse India of backing outlawed groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and Pakistani Taliban who commit violence in Pakistan. Such accusations have increased since a shooting in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed nations.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for the successful operation.

Pakistani troops killed 54 insurgents in the same area in April.

Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent months, much of it blamed on the Pakistani Taliban. The group is separate from the Afghan Taliban but closely allied with them. Many of its leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021.