Russia, Ukraine announce largest prisoner swap since war began in Feb. 2022, mediated by UAE

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russia and Ukraine separately announced on Wednesday a swap involving hundreds of prisoners from both sides, including soldiers and officers, mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first since Aug. 2023 and the largest since the war began in Feb. 2022.

Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that Ukraine returned 248 military personnel following what it described as a “complex negotiation process” that was mediated by the UAE.

“All released Russian military personnel are provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance,” the statement said, adding that the personnel will be transported to medical institutions to undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Telegram that Russia has returned 230 of its people, 213 of whom are soldiers and sergeants, while 11 and six others are officers and civilians, respectively.

“I am grateful to everyone who achieved this result. We remember each and every one of our people. And we must return all of them,” Zelenskyy said.

According to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the prisoner exchange was the largest since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022.

The last prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kyiv took place in Aug. 2023, when 22 Ukrainian soldiers were returned by Russia in the 48th prisoner exchange between the two countries.

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