On Saturday, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home a total of 230 soldiers. The swap marked the 55th such exchange since the beginning of the war and occurred on Ukraine’s Independence Day.

“Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today. These are warriors of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a statement. “We remember everyone. We are searching for them and making every effort to bring them all back.”

The prisoner exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. 

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian forces responsible for capturing Russian soldiers, stating that these victories on the battlefield strengthen Ukraine’s position in negotiations for the return of its own soldiers.

“I am grateful to each unit that replenishes our exchange fund. This helps to advance the release of our military personnel and civilians from Russian captivity,” Zelenskyy said. “I thank our team and partners, the UAE, for bringing our people back home.”

Meanwhile, the Kremlin is attempting to downplay the significance of Ukraine’s offensive in the Kursk region, according to independent Russian news outlet Meduza.

The report, which cited unnamed sources in the Kremlin, claims that officials are urging state-controlled media outlets to minimize the severity of the Ukrainian incursion and initiate a propaganda campaign promoting the acceptance of a “new normal” among Russians.

Digital could not independently verify the report. Ukraine has claimed to have captured over 780 square miles of Kursk, including the town of Sudhza, and nearly 100 Russian villages, according to a statement released on Tuesday. 

Digital’s Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.