Russia and Ukraine on Friday exchanged 193 prisoners of conflict each, Russia's Defense Ministry said as over four years of war between the two sides showed no sign of abating, with mounting casualties.
A total of 193 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by Kiev in exchange for 193 Ukrainian troops, the ministry said, adding that the released Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus receiving medical and psychological assistance before being transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
The Russian ministry said the exchange was facilitated through humanitarian mediation by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the return of Ukrainian servicemen, saying those released include wounded troops as well as individuals against whom Russia has initiated criminal proceedings.
The exchange marks the 73rd prisoner swap between the two sides since March 2022.
Russia, Ukraine exchange 193 prisoners of conflict each
A fresh wave of bomb threats targeting commercial flights disrupted air travel across Europe on Friday, prompting security checks at airports in several countries.
Nine flights arriving at or departing from Prague Airport were targeted on Friday, including four inbound and five outbound flights, the Czech News Agency reported. Police inspections found no explosives, and airport operations continued without significant disruption.
The incident came a day after four aircraft heading to Prague received similar threats. Czech authorities have launched an investigation into the incidents and their possible links to similar threats elsewhere in Europe.
In Italy, the control tower at Rome's Fiumicino Airport received an anonymous call on Friday saying there was an explosive device on a passenger plane flying from Prague to Rome, according to Italy's ANSA news agency. The flight was then diverted to land in Venice, and police were carrying out security checks on the aircraft.
In France, four aircraft flying over French territory were targeted, with three landing at Paris-Orly Airport and one at Bordeaux. All four landed without incident and were undergoing security inspections by bomb disposal teams, the French prime minister's office said, adding that an investigation was underway to determine the source of the alerts.
Portuguese police said on Friday that they received a bomb threat that day against a Ryanair flight from Lisbon to Rome, Italy. No explosive device was found after a security search.
The latest incidents follow a series of threats reported on Tuesday and Thursday, with more than 20 flights affected on Thursday alone.
The flights that received threats on Thursday involved countries including Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Finland, and airlines including Ryanair, Wizz Air, LOT Polish Airlines and Aer Lingus. Some airports and airlines received the threats by email, while some flights received security alerts in the air.
On Tuesday, Poland, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy reported in turn that passenger planes had received bomb threats. Seven planes were involved, causing some flights to be diverted and an airport to be briefly closed.
Europe on alert as fresh wave of bomb hoaxes disrupts flights
