Russia and Ukraine exchanged 150 prisoners of war on each side after mediation by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian defence ministry said yesterday.

It said all of the freed Russians were currently in Belarus, where they were receiving psychological and medical assistance.

Foreign secretary David Lammy has announced a £55m package of support aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s resilience, during a visit to Kyiv amid uncertainty about the future of the war.

The UK will commit £17m to support sustainable energy projects within the country, as part of efforts to help it recover from the damage wrought by Russia’s attacks on its key infrastructure.

A further £3m is being provided for deliveries of Ukrainian grain and other food produce to Syria, as it grapples with the upheaval following the collapse of the Assad regime.

At least one person died while setting up an attack on a Ukrainian army recruitment centre in western Ukraine, officials said.

The war-hit nation is witnessing a string of attacks against its mobilisation effort. This is the ninth such attack this year targeting a Ukrainian recruitment centre.

The explosion took place at the Kamianets-Podilsky recruitment centre and wounded four other people, said Sergiy Tyurin, the regional administrator.

The Ukrainian military said that Russia launched 104 drones and two Iskander-M ballistic missiles at Ukraine in the early hours of Wednesday.

Of that number, the Ukrainian air force shot down 57 and 42 drones did not reach their targets likely due to electronic warfare, the military said.

Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine continues to receive military aid from the US, but there’s no discussion currently about any prospective packages.

“There’s no reduction in US support today. It is not stopped, it continues,” he told reporters in Kyiv after a meeting with British foreign secretary David Lammy.

Mr Zelensky said it was “too early” for discussions regarding new batches of military assistance.

Asked about Ukraine’s ability to fight without American aid, he said cutting supplies would hit the country’s defence capabilities.

“We will be weaker, and whether we would hold (the land) – I’m not sure,” he added.

Russian troops took control of the settlements of Baranivka and Novomlynsk in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions of eastern Ukraine, the TASS state news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Russian defence ministry.

Two Norwegian jets rushed to respond after four Russian planes flew dangerously close to NATO airspace yesterday.

The Russian TU-95 bombers were being escorted by two Flanker-D planes in the high north but were closely monitored by the Norweigan Air Force F-35s.

Major General Øivind Gunnerud, Norwegian Air Chief, said: “Our Quick Reaction Alert mission in the High North is important for our national defence and NATO’s collective security.

“The ability to respond swiftly ensures the safety of our airspace and highlights the strength of our allied forces in maintaining peace and stability.”