Ukrainian Citizen Freed in Hamas-Israel Prisoner Exchange
On October 13, 2025, during a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, a Ukrainian citizen named Maksym Kharkyn was released. Born in Donetsk in 1988, Kharkyn was photographed and shared by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its Telegram channel, reports 24brussels.
Kharkyn moved to Israel with his mother and has a younger brother named Petro, a civil partner, Anna, and a five-year-old daughter, Monika, who reside in Russia. His family pursued a Russian passport for him, hoping this would expedite his release, according to Maariv. Russian media later reported that Hamas would consider this factor in future negotiations.
On the same day, Hamas transferred 20 live hostages to Israel, captured during an attack on a music festival in Gaza on October 7, 2023. U.S. President Donald Trump, who visited Israel today to address the Knesset, announced that the conflict between Hamas and Israel has concluded.
This ceasefire, along with the release of hostages, demilitarization of Gaza, and the promise of a future Palestinian state, presents an optimistic outlook on paper. However, questions remain about the feasibility of these proposals in reality.
