While preparing my regular Sunday report (posted earlier today) on the status of the political prisoners being held hostage in Russia’s prisons and penal colonies, a news flash popped up on my phone with — miracle of miracles! — some incredibly happy news for the Easter and Passover holidays.

While Vladimir Putin’s promised 30-hour Easter ceasefire in Ukraine remains tenuous, on Saturday the two warring countries did manage to carry out their largest prisoner-of-war swap since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.

With each side welcoming home between 200 and 300 POWs, it was indeed a cause for celebration.

There is, of course, still a long way to go before the two countries reach a final accord. But for now, we’ll take every moment of joy we can get.

Welcome home, guys.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/20/25