KYIV – On September 14, Russia and Ukraine completed a significant exchange of 206 prisoners, marking their second swap in just two days. The exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has facilitated multiple such negotiations since the beginning of 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that 103 Ukrainians were returned, all of whom were military personnel: 82 soldiers and privates, and 21 officers. In exchange, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that 103 Russian soldiers, captured during the Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August, were released.
Zelensky shared images on Telegram showing the returning servicemen wrapped in Ukraine’s national flag, reuniting with loved ones, and celebrating their release. The UAE has been actively involved in mediation, marking its eighth successful effort this year alone.
The latest swap brings the total number of Ukrainians returned to 3,672 through 57 exchanges since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.