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Israel Deports Greta Thunberg After Seizing Gaza-Bound Aid Boat

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Israel Deports Greta Thunberg After Seizing Gaza-Bound Aid Boat

JERUSALEM — Israel has deported Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg after its military seized a Gaza-bound aid vessel she boarded in an attempt to breach the Israeli blockade of the coastal enclave.

The 22-year-old activist was among a dozen passengers aboard the Madleen, a British-flagged yacht that set sail from Sicily on May 1. The mission, organized by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aimed to deliver humanitarian supplies and challenge Israel’s longstanding naval blockade on Gaza.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday that its forces had intercepted the vessel and brought it to shore. The passengers underwent medical evaluations upon arrival. In a post on social media platform X on Tuesday, the ministry published a photograph of Thunberg aboard an airplane, stating she was en route to Sweden via France.

Legal rights group Adalah, which is representing the passengers, confirmed that Thunberg, two other activists, and a journalist agreed to deportation and have since left the country. Other passengers who declined voluntary deportation remain in Israeli custody pending legal proceedings.

“They are expected to be moved to the Ramleh detention facility unless they agree to leave immediately,” Adalah said in a statement. The organization maintains the detentions are unlawful and that the aid seizure violates international law. “We continue to demand the immediate release of all volunteers and the return of the stolen aid,” it said.

The incident adds to growing international scrutiny over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate amid ongoing conflict.

Earlier Monday, Hamas said three paramedics were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood. The militant group condemned the attack as a war crime, stating, “Targeting those who aid victims represents an unprecedented level of brutality and criminality.”

In a separate development, Gaza health authorities accused Israeli forces of opening fire on a crowd at a U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in central Gaza, killing at least 17 Palestinians and wounding dozens more. The Israeli military said it is reviewing the reports and noted it had warned civilians not to approach designated military zones near GHF locations between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The Madleen’s voyage marks the latest effort by international activists to draw attention to the blockade and worsening conditions in Gaza. Previous flotillas have also been intercepted by Israeli forces, often triggering diplomatic tensions.

Thunberg, globally recognized for her environmental advocacy, had not previously engaged in direct action over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her participation drew renewed media attention to the humanitarian crisis and underscored increasing crossover between environmental and human rights activism.

As of Tuesday evening, the Israeli government had not disclosed when or if the remaining detained activists would be released or deported.

Sly Stone, Funk Pioneer and Leader of Sly and the Family Stone, Dies at 82

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Sly Stone, Funk Pioneer and Leader of Sly and the Family Stone, Dies at 82

LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Sly Stone, the visionary artist whose groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone transformed the sound and spirit of popular music during the late 1960s and early 1970s, died Monday at age 82. Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, died in Los Angeles surrounded by loved ones after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other health issues, his publicist Carleen Donovan said.

A pioneering figure in American music, Stone led the first major multiracial, multi-gender band in mainstream rock and soul. Formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1966-67, Sly and the Family Stone became icons of an era with chart-topping hits such as “Everyday People,” “Dance to the Music,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Stand!” and “Family Affair.” Their genre-bending sound fused psychedelic rock, funk, soul, jazz, and doo-wop into a style that was uniquely their own, propelling a musical revolution that still echoes today.

The group was known not only for its music but for its ethos of unity and equality. With lyrics that addressed civil rights, social justice, and identity, Stone’s work resonated deeply in an age of societal upheaval. “Different strokes for different folks,” from “Everyday People,” became a catchphrase of the time. In 1969, the group’s performance at Woodstock — led by Stone in a leather jumpsuit and his signature Afro and goggle shades — became a defining moment of the festival and the counterculture era.

Sly and the Family Stone scored five Top 10 singles, three of which reached No. 1, and released several platinum-selling albums, including Stand!, There’s a Riot Goin’ On, and Greatest Hits. The band’s 1968 single “Dance to the Music,” released the week of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, announced their arrival with defiant joy and became a cultural touchstone.

The influence of Stone’s musical innovations extended far beyond his own hits. Acts ranging from The Jackson 5 to the Temptations adapted his rhythmic style and vocal arrangements. Jazz legends Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock credited him with expanding the horizons of their genre. In the decades that followed, Prince, George Clinton, Rick James, the Black Eyed Peas, and countless hip-hop artists including Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg would cite Sly Stone as a major influence. His legacy was celebrated in the 2005 tribute album featuring artists like Maroon 5, John Legend, and The Roots.

“He was cooler than everything around him by a factor of infinity,” Questlove wrote in the introduction to Stone’s 2023 memoir, Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin). Questlove also directed the 2025 documentary Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius), which traced the enduring cultural impact of the funk legend.

Yet Stone’s brilliance came with burdens. By the early 1970s, amid pressure from fame, record label demands, and political activism urging him to fire the white members of his group, his career began a long and painful descent. Cocaine addiction, missed concerts, and erratic behavior followed. A highly anticipated album, The Incredible and Unpredictable Sly and the Family Stone, never materialized. In 1971, he released There’s a Riot Goin’ On, a dark, groundbreaking record that topped the Billboard chart but revealed the emotional collapse behind his funk façade. Featuring early drum machine experimentation and moody tracks like “Family Affair” and “Runnin’ Away,” it became a seminal work in Black music’s social awakening.

By the end of the decade, Sly and the Family Stone had disbanded. Stone attempted solo comebacks with Heard You Missed Me, Well I’m Back and Back on the Right Track, but neither matched his earlier successes. His later years were marked by legal struggles, addiction, and a reclusive lifestyle. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and made a surprise appearance at the 2006 Grammy Awards tribute in his honor, but released only one more album — 2011’s I’m Back! Family & Friends, a collection of re-recorded classics.

Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, and raised in Vallejo, California, Stone was a prodigy. By age 11, he had mastered multiple instruments and recorded gospel music with his siblings. As a teenage deejay and producer in the Bay Area, he championed racial integration in both his radio playlists and band memberships. Before launching his own group, he worked with artists like Grace Slick’s Great Society and produced hits including Bobby Freeman’s “C’mon and Swim.”

Sly and the Family Stone’s debut album A Whole New Thing in 1967 introduced their genre-bending style. Their TV debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968 marked their breakthrough, when Sly recited these lines from his song “Are You Ready”:

“Don’t hate the Black,
don’t hate the white,
if you get bitten,
just hate the bite.”

Stone’s personal life was often as public as his performances. In 1974, he married actress Kathy Silva on stage at Madison Square Garden, though the marriage soon ended. He had three children, including a daughter with bandmate and trumpet player Cynthia Robinson.

Despite the turmoil of his later years, Stone’s music endured. “He could be sitting there doing nothing,” George Clinton once said, “and then open his eyes and shock you with a lyric so brilliant that it was obvious no one had ever thought of it before.”

Sly Stone gave the world music that was explosive, transcendent, and transformative. He fused joy and resistance, dreams and struggle, in songs that made people dance — and think. Even as his own light dimmed, the spark he ignited in music and culture continued to shine.

Mexican Police Kill 4 Gunmen, Cross Into Guatemala in Dramatic Border Shootout

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Mexican Police Kill 4 Gunmen, Cross Into Guatemala in Dramatic Border Shootout

LA MESILLA, Guatemala (BN24) — A deadly cross-border gun battle erupted along the Mexico-Guatemala border Sunday, as Mexican state police killed four armed suspects and then pursued additional gunmen into Guatemalan territory in an unprecedented armed incursion that has prompted investigations by authorities in both countries.

The shootout unfolded in the border town of La Mesilla, where witnesses captured the confrontation on video. Footage widely circulated online showed armored vehicles from the Chiapas state police force driving aggressively into Guatemalan streets, sparking chaos as armed men in tactical gear fled amid a hail of gunfire. At least one civilian vehicle was struck during the exchange, and a Guatemalan military vehicle appeared to remain stationary throughout the clash, a soldier visibly manning its mounted turret.

Officials say the violence was the latest escalation in a region plagued by turf wars between Mexico’s powerful Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, who continue to battle for control over lucrative smuggling routes for drugs, weapons, and migrants.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Monday that the preliminary investigation showed Mexican forces had crossed into Guatemala. “They are investigating it, and it is not all right that this happened,” she said.

Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar claimed the pursuit stemmed from intelligence gathered by drone surveillance, which had detected armed men crossing into Mexico. He said Mexican police intercepted the group and killed four, including a local gang leader, before the suspects attempted to flee back into Guatemala.

The Mexican officers involved belonged to the state’s Pakal police force, which has faced prior allegations of misconduct. Ramírez suggested Guatemalan authorities had failed to act against criminal groups, stating, “They try to cross back to Guatemala to evade justice, and that’s where we intercept them.”

Guatemalan officials struck a more measured tone. Vice President Karin Herrera said talks were ongoing with Mexico but that “many things must be confirmed.” Defense Minister Henry Sáenz stated Guatemalan soldiers deployed in La Mesilla did not discharge their weapons, and the incident remains under review.

Security analysts in Guatemala expressed concern over the apparent inaction by local forces. “In the videos it appears the police are supporting these armed suspects,” said Arkel Benitez, a lawyer and security expert. He called the footage troubling, suggesting it conveyed either alarming passivity or potential complicity by Guatemalan forces.

Sunday’s shootout occurred in a densely packed commercial street, where military fire could have risked greater civilian casualties. Despite the violence, no injuries to Guatemalan bystanders were reported.

The area along the southern Mexican border has seen sustained violence in recent years. In 2023, hundreds of Mexican residents fled across the border into Guatemala seeking safety. Other towns have been subjected to cartel blockades and blackouts as rival groups vie for dominance.

The dramatic cross-border shootout underscores the volatile security situation along the Mexico-Guatemala frontier and raises questions over both nations’ ability to contain cartel violence spilling across borders.

8 Eight Killed, Including Suspected Gunman, in School Shooting in Graz, Austria

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8 Eight Killed, Including Suspected Gunman, in School Shooting in Graz, Austria

GRAZ, Austria (BN24) — Eight people, including the suspected shooter, were killed Tuesday in a mass shooting at a high school in the southeastern Austrian city of Graz, local authorities confirmed.

Mayor Elke Kahr described the incident at BORG Dreierschützengasse high school as a “terrible tragedy,” according to the Austria Press Agency. Among the dead were seven students and one adult. Several others sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals, though the extent of their injuries was not immediately disclosed.

Authorities received an emergency call at approximately 10 a.m. local time, prompting a swift response from police and special forces. Heavily armed units arrived on the scene and began clearing the premises.

By 11:30 a.m., police announced via social media platform X that the school had been fully evacuated and that all individuals had been relocated to a designated safe area. Officials said the situation had been “secured,” and there was no ongoing threat to the public.

The suspected perpetrator was also found dead at the scene, though police have not yet confirmed whether the individual died by suicide or during the police response. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

The attack has shaken the city of Graz, Austria’s second-largest urban center with a population of roughly 300,000. Located in the country’s southeast, Graz is known for its universities and cultural institutions.

Officials have not released the identities of the victims pending family notifications. The Austrian Interior Ministry is coordinating with local law enforcement and counterterrorism units to determine how the shooting unfolded.

Classes at the school have been suspended, and grief counseling services are being made available to students, staff, and families affected by the tragedy.

6 Killed as Cessna Plane Crashes Into Ocean Off San Diego After Pilot’s Distress Call

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6 Killed as Cessna Plane Crashes Into Ocean Off San Diego After Pilot’s Distress Call

SAN DIEGO (BN24) — A twin-engine Cessna 414 crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on Sunday, killing all six people on board after the pilot issued a distress call indicating trouble with the aircraft’s climb and heading, federal authorities confirmed.

The plane, which had departed San Diego and was en route to Phoenix, Arizona, went down around 12:30 p.m. near Point Loma, a narrow peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration reported that the wreckage was discovered later Sunday afternoon in roughly 200 feet of water, about five miles offshore.

Crews continued to search the area through Sunday evening, but no survivors were found. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The identities of the victims have not been publicly released.

In a chilling final radio transmission to air traffic control, the pilot reported difficulty maintaining heading and altitude. Despite receiving instructions from controllers to ascend to 4,000 feet, the aircraft was at just 1,000 feet above the water before radar contact was lost. The Cessna turned inland twice before veering back out over the ocean and disappearing from radar.

Federal records list the aircraft’s registered owner as Optimal Health Systems, a supplement company based in Pima, Arizona. However, the company said it sold the plane to private buyers in 2023 and that FAA records had not been updated. Doug Grant, founder of the company, confirmed he personally knew several passengers on board and extended condolences to their families.

“Our sincerest condolences are offered to those affected by the tragedy,” Grant said in a statement.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Ryan Graves confirmed the depth of the crash site and said recovery efforts are ongoing, though challenging due to underwater conditions.

The NTSB has yet to release preliminary findings but will lead the investigation into what caused the crash.

Sunday’s incident comes just weeks after a separate plane crash in a San Diego neighborhood killed six people, including musician Daniel Williams and talent agent Dave Shapiro, raising renewed concerns about private aviation safety in the region.

Frederick Forsyth, Acclaimed Author of The Day of the Jackal, Dies at 86

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Frederick Forsyth, Acclaimed Author of The Day of the Jackal, Dies at 86

LONDON (BN24) — Frederick Forsyth, the celebrated British author of The Day of the Jackal and one of the most influential thriller writers of his generation, has died at the age of 86, his literary agency Curtis Brown confirmed on Monday.

Forsyth passed away surrounded by family following a short illness, the agency said. His death marks the end of a prolific career that spanned over five decades, encompassing best-selling novels, groundbreaking journalism, and behind-the-scenes intelligence work.

A former Royal Air Force pilot and investigative journalist, Forsyth achieved international fame in 1971 with the publication of The Day of the Jackal, a taut political thriller based on a fictional assassination attempt on French President Charles de Gaulle. The novel, inspired by real events Forsyth covered as a journalist, was adapted into a critically acclaimed film in 1973 and more recently into a Sky Atlantic television series starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch.

Born in Ashford, Kent, in 1938, Forsyth joined the RAF at age 18, becoming one of the youngest pilots in service at the time. After leaving the military in 1958, he embarked on a journalism career, reporting from global hotspots and covering conflicts that would later inform much of his fiction. His foreign assignments included covering the Nigerian Civil War and the attempted assassination of de Gaulle—events that directly shaped his narrative style and themes.

Forsyth’s body of work includes more than 25 novels and nonfiction titles, including The Kill List, The Afghan, and The Fox, many of which were adapted into films and translated into dozens of languages. His books have sold over 75 million copies worldwide, solidifying his legacy as a master of the political and espionage thriller.

In a 2015 memoir, The Outsider: My Life in Intrigue, Forsyth revealed his years-long involvement with Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6—a detail that added further depth to his reputation as a writer whose fiction was often rooted in real-world operations.

His longtime agent, Jonathan Lloyd of Curtis Brown, paid tribute to Forsyth as “one of the world’s greatest thriller writers.” Lloyd recalled a recent meeting with the author to watch an upcoming BBC1 documentary about his life, In My Own Words, set for release later this year.

“After serving as one of the youngest ever RAF pilots, he turned to journalism, using his gift for languages to become a foreign correspondent in Biafra,” Lloyd said. “Appalled at what he saw and using his experience during a stint as a secret service agent, he wrote his first and perhaps most famous novel, The Day Of The Jackal, and instantly became a global best-selling author.”

Forsyth was also a pioneer in digital publishing. In 2000, he became the first major British author to release a novel exclusively online, embracing emerging technology long before it became standard in the literary world.

He is survived by his family and remembered by countless fans worldwide. “He will be greatly missed,” said Lloyd, “though his books will of course live on forever.”

Newsom Blasts Trump Over Deployment of 2,000 More National Guard Troops, 700 Marines to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

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Newsom Blasts Trump Over Deployment of 2,000 More National Guard Troops, 700 Marines to Los Angeles Amid Immigration Protests

LOS ANGELES (BN24) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday condemned President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy an additional 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, calling the move “reckless” and accusing the administration of abusing federal authority as immigration protests persist in the region.

The new deployment, which adds to an earlier wave of 2,000 National Guard troops, comes alongside the mobilization of approximately 700 U.S. Marines from Twentynine Palms to Camp Pendleton, about 90 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, defense officials said. The Marines, from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, were activated by U.S. Northern Command in response to escalating demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement.

“I was just informed Trump is deploying another 2,000 Guard troops to L.A.,” Newsom wrote Saturday on X. “The first 2,000? Given no food or water. Only approx. 300 are deployed — the rest are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders. This isn’t about public safety. It’s about stroking a dangerous President’s ego.”

Newsom, a vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration policies, argued the latest troop movements were unnecessary and unconstitutional, and he warned against using active-duty military personnel to quell domestic protests. “This is un-American,” he posted, denouncing what he called “a deranged fantasy of a dictatorial President.”

California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Saturday filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging Trump’s troop deployments to Los Angeles constitute an unlawful use of military force and represent a federal overreach. The suit challenges the president’s authority to unilaterally send military personnel to a state without proper consultation or justification.

According to two senior Defense Department officials, the mobilized Marines are stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County to position them closer to the Los Angeles area, where they may be called upon to assist in protecting federal property and personnel. Under federal law, they are prohibited from making arrests or engaging in direct law enforcement actions, though they may support local and federal agencies.

“U.S. Marines have served honorably across multiple wars in defense of democracy,” Newsom said. “They are heroes. But they shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countrymen.”

The Marines’ movement was ordered following several days of large and occasionally tense protests across Los Angeles sparked by federal immigration crackdowns. Defense sources confirmed the Marines were placed on alert by U.S. Northern Command over the weekend and are now part of the broader federal response authorized by Trump’s executive order.

The deployment has reignited debates over the use of military force within U.S. borders and intensified the ongoing political clash between the Trump administration and California leadership over immigration enforcement and states’ rights.

Nigerian Catholic Priest Who Recently Served in U.S. Abducted by Boko Haram Islamic Extremists in Borno State, Church Confirms

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Nigerian Catholic Priest Who Recently Served in U.S. Abducted by Boko Haram Islamic Extremists in Borno State, Church Confirms

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (BN24) — A Nigerian Catholic priest who recently returned home after serving in the United States has been abducted by Boko Haram extremists along with other travelers in Nigeria’s conflict-ridden northeast, church officials confirmed Sunday.

The Rev. Alphonsus Afina, formerly of the Diocese of Fairbanks in Alaska, was kidnapped on June 1 near the border town of Gwoza in Borno state, a region long plagued by militant violence. The abduction occurred while Afina was en route from the city of Mubi to Maiduguri, the state capital, for a workshop when his convoy was ambushed near a military checkpoint.

“A rocket-propelled grenade struck one of the vehicles, killing a passenger and injuring several others,” said Bishop John Bogna Bakeni of the Diocese of Maiduguri. Bakeni told The Associated Press that he managed to speak briefly with Afina the day after the kidnapping. “He was tired from trekking, but sounded OK and in good spirits,” the bishop said.

It remains unclear whether Afina, who returned to Nigeria earlier this year to work with the Catholic Church’s Justice, Development and Peace Commission, was deliberately targeted. “There were multiple travelers abducted in the ambush,” Bakeni said, “but we don’t yet know how many.”

Nigerian authorities have not issued a public statement on the abduction and have not responded to media inquiries. Meanwhile, Rev. Robert Fath, vicar general of the Diocese of Fairbanks, told the Anchorage Daily News that he received a direct call from Boko Haram confirming they were holding Afina.

Afina served in Alaska from 2017 until 2024, ministering to remote parishes in one of the most isolated dioceses in the United States before returning to Nigeria to continue his work in social justice and pastoral care.

Nigeria has faced escalating violence across its northern and central regions, with armed groups—including Boko Haram—routinely launching attacks on communities, security forces, and travelers. Abductions for ransom have become increasingly common, and religious figures are often among the victims. In March, another priest was kidnapped and killed in central Nigeria.

Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009 aiming to impose strict Islamic rule and oppose Western-style education, has been responsible for the deaths of over 35,000 people and the displacement of more than 2 million, according to the United Nations. The group’s campaign of terror has also spilled into neighboring countries, compounding one of Africa’s most intractable humanitarian crises.

‘Killer’ Asian Needle Ants Invading U.S., Threatening Humans With Sharp, Painful Stings as Numbers Surge

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‘Killer’ Asian Needle Ants Invading U.S., Threatening Humans With Sharp, Painful Stings as Numbers Surge

ATLANTA (BN24) — A wave of invasive Asian needle ants, described by experts as ‘killer’ ants due to their painful stings and allergy-inducing venom, is spreading rapidly across several U.S. states, prompting warnings from entomologists ahead of their anticipated summer peak.

The carnivorous insects, Brachyponera chinensis, are increasingly being blamed for unexpected stings and serious health effects, including at least three documented cases of anaphylactic shock. The ants, originally native to East Asia, now thrive along the East Coast, from Florida to Connecticut, and their populations are expected to surge through July and August.

“Imagine somebody inserting a needle directly into your flesh,” said Benoit Guénard, a professor of ecology and entomology at the University of Hong Kong, describing the sting’s severity. “It’s a very sharp, acute pain, but it’s quite local.”

The ants are difficult to detect due to their small size and inconspicuous behavior. Unlike fire ants, they do not leave pheromone trails, which makes locating and eradicating colonies a challenge. “Most ants are in-your-face invasive,” said Daniel Suiter, professor of urban entomology at the University of Georgia. “These remain hidden.”

Often found nesting in decaying logs, firewood, leaf litter, and even urban materials like bricks and railroad ties, Asian needle ants pose a threat in both wooded and residential areas. Encounters typically occur during gardening or yard work, when humans accidentally disturb their colonies.

“People are most often stung when they’re working in their garden,” said Theresa Dellinger, diagnostician at Virginia Tech’s insect identification lab. “Nobody likes to be putting in their bedding plants and then suddenly have unexpected pain.”

Health officials warn that while most individuals will experience localized pain, those with insect sting allergies may suffer more severe reactions. Anyone at risk is advised to carry an epinephrine auto-injector.

The ants were first discovered in the U.S. in 1932 in Georgia, but have only been recognized as a widespread pest since the early 2000s. Now, sightings are increasing annually, with peak activity approaching in the coming weeks. According to AntMaps, they are active across much of the southeastern and northeastern United States.

In addition to stinging humans, the ants hunt small prey such as flies, beetles, termites, and grasshoppers. Their spread is being monitored by researchers who stress the need for public awareness and improved pest management strategies.

With their elusive behavior and capacity to cause painful, medically significant stings, Asian needle ants are becoming a growing concern across the U.S., especially as summer approaches.

Russia and Ukraine Begin Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War Involving Wounded and Young POWs

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Russia and Ukraine Begin Largest Prisoner Exchange of the War Involving Wounded and Young POWs

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia and Ukraine on Monday launched a significant prisoner of war exchange involving young servicemembers and those with severe injuries, marking the first phase of what could become the largest swap since the start of the war.

The exchange, confirmed by both governments, follows direct negotiations held in Istanbul on June 2. During those talks, officials agreed to a wide-scale humanitarian deal that includes the return of at least 1,200 POWs from each side and the repatriation of thousands of fallen soldiers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement on Telegram that a group of Ukrainian prisoners had returned home, and the broader exchange would take place over several days.

“Today’s exchange has begun. It will be done in several stages in the coming days,” Zelenskyy said. “The process is quite complex, with many sensitive details, and negotiations continue virtually every day. We count on the full implementation of the humanitarian agreements reached during the meeting in Istanbul.”

Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s commitment to recovering every captured citizen, saying, “We are doing everything possible to bring back every single person.”

Neither Ukraine nor Russia disclosed the number of prisoners exchanged on Monday. However, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that the swap involved an equal number of military personnel from each side.

Over the weekend, Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky said Moscow had already submitted an initial list of 640 names to Ukraine for the first phase of the exchange.

According to Russian officials, the returning Russian troops are currently in Belarus, a close ally of Moscow, where they are receiving psychological and medical care before being relocated to Russia for further treatment.

The Kremlin confirmed earlier Monday that it was prepared to fulfill the agreed terms of the POW and body repatriation agreement, though it accused Ukraine of previously delaying aspects of the deal. Ukrainian officials rejected those claims.

Despite deep-seated hostilities and a war that has entered its fourth year, the mutual return of prisoners and fallen soldiers remains one of the few areas where both countries have managed to find common ground.

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