Ukraine live briefing: Russia vows to defend annexed territories; prisoner exchange details emerge

Russia’s military resources, including “strategic nuclear weapons,” can be used to defend annexed territories in Ukraine including Crimea, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said Thursday. Further details have emerged regarding Wednesday’s elaborate prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv, in which nearly 300 people were released, including leaders of Ukraine’s Azov Regiment and a pro-Kremlin politician.