President Volodymyr Zelensky returned five ex-commanders of the Ukrainian garrison in Mariupol from Turkey, a highly significant act that Russia claimed broke the terms of a prisoner exchange arranged last year.
The release was promptly condemned by Russia. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Kremlin, claimed Moscow was not informed despite Ankara’s claim that it had agreed to keep the soldiers in Turkey as part of the swap deal.
Zelensky also went to Snake Island, a Black Sea island that Russian soldiers captured on the day of the invasion and later abandoned, in remembrance of the 500th day of the conflict.
After conducting a valiant three-month defense of Mariupol, the largest city Russia has seized, from the Azovstal steel factory last year, the five commanders have gained fame in Ukraine.
Zelensky met with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for negotiations in Istanbul on Friday. “We are returning from Turkey and bringing our heroes home,” Zelensky said.
