Russia and
Ukraine carried out a long-awaited swap of 70 prisoners on Saturday, in a deal hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "first step" towards ending their conflict.
Planes carrying 35 prisoners from each side landed simultaneously in
Moscow and Kiev, where relatives waiting at the airport broke into applause.
"We have taken the first step," Zelensky said on the tarmac after greeting and hugging former prisoners at the airport.