
Ukraine's Mariupol ‘heroes' returned in prisoner swap as Kyiv halts Moscow's Sumy advance
Ukraine has received from Russia a number of its soldiers who were hailed as "heroes" for their role in defending besieged Mariupol.
The soldiers' return is part of the latest prisoner swap between the two countries that was agreed in Istanbul, reflecting the limited progress Moscow and Kyiv have made in peace talks.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Donald Trump told him he would attend peace talks between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia in Turkey if they took place.
On the frontline, Ukrainian forces have halted Russia's recent advance into the northern Sumy region and have stabilised the front line near the border with Russia, Ukraine's top military commander said yesterday.
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