KYIV: Russia and Ukraine exchanged 95 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, marking the third such swap in recent months, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia’s Defence ministry and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.
Russia’s Defence Ministry, through a statement on the Telegram messaging app, announced that the returning Russian soldiers would be flown to Moscow for comprehensive medical examinations and physical and psychological rehabilitation. The ministry emphasized that the freed troops had faced “mortal danger” while in Ukrainian captivity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that the freed Ukrainian prisoners included members of the Ukrainian armed forces, the national guard, and the border guard service. Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to the UAE for its role in facilitating the exchange.
This prisoner swap follows a similar exchange in June, also facilitated by the UAE, where 90 prisoners were exchanged by each side. These exchanges are part of ongoing negotiations and diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian impact of the conflict, even as fighting continues on various fronts.
