MOSCOW: In an exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates ahead of New Year’s Eve, Russia and Ukraine exchanged over 300 prisoners of war Monday, according to authorities from both nations.
One of the few areas of collaboration between the two sides has been the exchange of hundreds of captured soldiers since Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
As a consequence of the negotiations, 150 Russian soldiers were repatriated from Kyiv regime-controlled territory on December 30. In exchange, 150 POWs from the Ukrainian army were turned over, according to the Russian defense ministry.
189 individuals, including troops, border guards, and two civilians from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol, were transferred to Kyiv as part of the agreement, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We are trying to get everyone out of custody in Russia. This is what we want to achieve. We don’t overlook anyone,” Zelensky declared.
Moscow has released 3,956 people, including civilians and troops, in agreements with Kyiv since the crisis began, Ukraine said Monday. According to both parties, the United Arab Emirates mediated the most recent exchange.
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, released a video showing soldiers in winter clothing and military fatigues assembled outside busses.
Wishing them a happy New Year’s holiday, Moskalkova added, “I thank you for your service, patience, and courage.” She wrote in a Telegram message that accompanied the video, “Very soon our guys will embrace their relatives and friends and celebrate the New Year in their native land.”
