KYIV: Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday announced their first exchange of prisoners of war (POW) for almost five months, with over 200 freed by each side following what Moscow stated was a complex dialogue involving mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Russia’s ministry of defence said around 248 military officials had been handed over by Ukrainian authorities. Officials in Kyiv stated it had brought home around 230 people including 224 soldiers and six civilians – in what it said had been the largest documented exchange of soldiers so far.
Ukraine, Russia Stage Big POW Exchange Following UAE Mediation
Ukraine’s prisoners of war (POW) coordination center also briefly admitted the role of UAE in the exchange of troops, without giving more details.
Despite the lack of any negotiation on how to end the 22-month conflict, Ukraine and Russia have held many prisoner swaps since the early months of Russia’s attack in February 2022. But the rate of the exchanges of prisoners dropped in 2023 and the last one occurred in early August.
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The development comes as earlier 20 people were killed in the missile attacks on Belgorod, Russian. This makes Saturday’s assault one of the lethal on Russian land since Russia launched hostilities against Kyiv in February 2022.
