Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels were on Dec. 27 set to complete a swap of hundreds of prisoners as part of a new push for peace that came despite Kiev’s decision to cut off key transport links to breakaway Crimea.
The exchange began Dec. 26 on a dark and isolated stretch of a road north of the devastated eastern rebel stronghold of Donetsk, and unfolded as negotiators from both sides held video talks on Skype at reviving stalled negotiations.
The swap involves a total of 222 guerrillas and 145 Ukrainian troops. A final five were due to be handed to Ukraine on Saturday from the neighbouring separatist province of Lugansk, according to a rebel spokeswoman.