Ukraine

announced a high-profile prisoner swap after months of efforts to free Ukrainian fighters who defended a steel plant in Mariupol during a long Russian siege. In exchange, Ukraine returned Ukrainian pro-Russian opposition leader Viktor Medvedchuk. In total, 215 Ukrainians and foreign citizens, many of whom faced the death penalty, were exchanged for Medvedchuk and 55 other prisoners with the help of Turkish and Saudi mediation efforts.

• In other news: Almost 1200 protesters have been arrested in Russia after Vladimir Putin’s order to mobilize 300,000 troops to fight in the Ukraine war sparked protests in at least 37 cities, including St. Petersburg and the capital Moscow. Protesters risk harsh charges as the Moscow prosecutor’s office warned that organizing or participating in such actions could lead to up to 15 years in prison.