United Arab Emirates-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resulted in the release of over 200 prisoners of war on Wednesday, marking the first exchange of prisoners of war in nearly five months.
The Defense Ministry of Russia reported that Ukraine had surrendered 248 military personnel. Kiev announced the return of 230 individuals, including 224 soldiers and six civilians.
In a statement, the UAE’s foreign ministry admitted its involvement, stating that its powerful amicable relations with both Moscow and Kyiv facilitated the exchange.
Ukrainian authorities released a video of returning prisoners wearing the blue and yellow flag getting off a bus, singing the national anthem, and shouting “Glory to Ukraine.” The Russian Ministry of Defense released similar footage showing returning uniformed prisoners riding buses into Belgorod.
Ukraine’s returnees included former soldiers who defended Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant for nearly three months before Russian forces took it in May 2022.
Since the early months of Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Kyiv and Moscow have engaged in numerous prisoner exchanges, despite the absence of negotiations regarding the end of the war.
