Russia and Ukraine exchange 146 prisoners of war each

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia and Ukraine exchanged on Sunday 146 prisoners of war each after mediation by the United Arab Emirates, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

A ministry statement said 146 of its servicemen were returned with “humanitarian mediation efforts” from the UAE.

“In exchange, 146 prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were transferred (to the Ukrainian side),” the statement added.

It said eight Russian citizens residing in the border region of Kursk were also returned to Moscow as part of the swap.

The returned Russian servicemen, the ministry said, are currently in Belarus, where they are “receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance.”

Ukraine did not immediately confirm the swap, which comes amid intense diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump to mediate a settlement for the Russia-Ukraine war that continues since February 2022.