MOSCOW – Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, with each side swapping 95 prisoners of war, in the latest such arrangement facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. This exchange marks the third in recent months, following a similar pattern of swaps to ease tensions amidst ongoing conflict.
Russia’s Defence Ministry announced via Telegram that the returning Russian soldiers would be transported to Moscow for medical examinations and physical and psychological rehabilitation. The ministry emphasized that the freed Russian troops had faced “mortal danger” while in Ukrainian captivity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the exchange, stating 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 United Arab Emirates for its role in facilitating the swap.
This latest exchange follows a similar prisoner swap in June, also mediated by the UAE, where both Russia and Ukraine exchanged 90 prisoners each. These exchanges are part of ongoing efforts to manage the humanitarian aspects of the conflict and provide relief to the affected soldiers and their families.