18.“This year, for the first time, the Russian side personally took the initiative to communicate,” Lubinets said.“It was at the start of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ military operation in Kursk Oblast. I believe the Kursk operation provided strong arguments in favor of Ukraine.”Since the beginning of Moscow's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine and Russia have carried out nearly 60 prisoner exchanges. Around 3,600 Ukrainians have been freed, while tens of thousands — both military personnel and civilians — are estimated to remain in captivity.During the surprise incursion into Kursk Oblast, Ukraine captured hundreds of Russian conscript soldiers stationed in the region. Some of them were exchanged during the 58th swap carried out on Oct. 18. Lubinets said that Russia continues to engage in hybrid warfare against Ukraine, including in the context of prisoner exchanges, undermining Ukrainian authorities and the negotiation process.In January, a Russian Il-76 plane reportedly carrying 65 Ukrainian POWs crashed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.