Russia, Ukraine conduct major prisoners exchange after mediation

Ukraine and Russia announced their first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months, with each side releasing over 200 after what both sides described as a difficult deal involving UAE mediation.

Ukraine handed over 248 military troops, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. Kyiv said it had returned 230 persons, including 224 military and six civilians, in the largest reported troop swap to date.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s foreign ministry confirmed its role, stating that the swap was made possible by the UAE’s “strong friendly relations” with both Moscow and Kiev.

It offered both further humanitarian efforts and to find a peaceful solution to the war.

Despite a lack of talks on how to end the 22-month war, Kyiv and Moscow have held many prisoner swaps since the early months of Russia’s invasion in February 2022

However, the rate of the exchanges dropped in 2023 and the last one until this week was in August.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s HUR Military Intelligence agency, singled out the UAE’s direct role.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it was “truly a great day for Ukraine” and vowed to press on with further swaps facilitated by expanding what he called an “exchange fund” of captured Russian soldiers.

Ukraine’s returnees came from various branches of its armed forces and included participants in the nearly three-month defence of Azovstal steel Plant in the port of Mariupol before it was captured by Russian forces in May 2022.

According to a Defense Ministry statement, Russia’s released prisoners will be subjected to medical examinations and treatment.

Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights, commended President Vladimir Putin and the military and intelligence services for their efforts in the exchange.