Russia and Ukraine exchanged more than 500 prisoners of war in a major swap between the two warring nations after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mediation efforts.
The Wednesday announcement marks the first time that the two sides exchanged prisoners of war in nearly five months. Each side freed more than 200 individuals after what officials described as a complex negotiation involving UAE mediation.
Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Exchange
In a statement, Russia's Defense Ministry said that it received over 248 military personnel from Ukraine. On the other hand, Kyiv said that it brought home 230 people, 224 of whom were soldiers while the other six were civilians. They noted that it was the largest documented swap of troops so far.
The UAE's foreign ministry also acknowledged its role in the exchange and said that the swap was only made possible by its "strong friendly relations" with the two countries. The Middle Eastern nation offered both further humanitarian efforts and to find a peaceful solution to the war, as per Reuters.
Ukrainian authorities also released video footage that showed returning prisoners draped in the country's blue and yellow flag filing off a bus. They were also heard singing the national anthem and shouting the patriotic greeting "Glory to Ukraine."
The majority of the individuals appeared to be in good health and one returnee shouted, "We are home! You didn't forget us!" The Russian Ministry of Defense released a similar video showing returning uniformed prisoners as they arrived in Belgorod riding buses.
An unnamed man was heard saying, "I'll be home in five hours, roughly speaking, that's going to be a joy." The prisoner exchange comes despite a lack of talks on how to put an end to the 22-month conflict. The two sides have held several swaps since the early months of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The chief of Ukraine's military intelligence and head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Kyrylo Budanov said that they managed to conduct a very complex exchange over a significant period, according to the Washington Post.
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Largest Swap in Months
In a video posted on social media, Budanov noted that the released Ukrainians included "a combat medic, defenders from Snake Island, Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Azovstal, border guards, police, national guard, and armed forces."
However, Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova said that 75 of the Russian POWs were handed back "without an exchange." The remark implied that the main trade involved 173 Russian service members.
An unnamed source was quoted as saying that the 75 Russians were released in exchange for five Ukrainian commanders from the Azov Brigade who returned to Ukraine in July last year. The Azov members were captured by Russian forces early in the conflict and were reportedly under house arrest under Turkey's supervision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that there was a long pause in between exchanges of prisoners of war. However, he noted that there was no pause in the negotiations regarding the swaps.
The president added that they seized every opportunity and tried all mediation options to bring citizens back home. Zelensky said that at every international meeting that can help the cause, they raised the issue of returning captives, said Business Insider.
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