Russia releases 19 Ukrainian prisoners

     Kyiv, Apr 21 (AP) As many as 19 Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity Thursday in a second prisoner swap to take place this week, Ukraine's deputy PM Iryna Vereschuk said in a Facebook post.
     “Another prisoner exchange has taken place. This time, there are wounded people among those released, which is very important. Now they will be able to receive full treatment and undergo a course of rehabilitation,” Vereshchuk wrote.
     Later on Thursday, Ukrainian media reported that the former captives include nine civilians and 10 military personnel, two of whom are officers.
     Their release comes on the heels of a prisoner swap Tuesday, which saw 76 Ukrainians, including 60 soldiers, return to their families.
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     Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has held a 20-minute phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
     Ramaphosa, who has avoided criticizing Russia for any aggression, on Thursday confirmed the call, which took place on Wednesday evening, in a tweet in which he said he urged negotiations to resolve the war.
     “I had a telephone conversation with President @ZelenskyyUA of Ukraine to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and its tragic human cost, as well as its global ramifications,” Ramaphosa said on Twitter. He said the two leaders agreed “on the need for a negotiated end” to the conflict.
     The Ukrainian president also described the call in a tweet: “Told about our resistance to Russian aggression. Discussed the threat of a global food crisis, deepening relations with the Republic of South Africa and cooperation within international organisations.”
     The call comes seven weeks after Ramaphosa spoke with Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the war. The South African leader has also spoken to President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about the war in Ukraine. (AP) SCY
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)