Ahead of New Year’s Eve, the United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange of more than 300 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine on Monday, according to officials 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.
Our goal is to liberate everyone from Russian captivity. That’s what we want. We remember everyone,” Zelensky remarked.
In agreements with Kyiv since the crisis began, Moscow has freed 3,956 persons in all, including civilians and troops, Ukraine said Monday. The United Arab Emirates mediated the most recent exchange, according to both parties.
Soldiers in winter clothing and military fatigues were seen gathered outside buses in a video released by Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner.
“I appreciate your service, endurance, and bravery,” Moskalkova added, wishing them a pleasant New Year’s holiday. “Very soon, our guys will celebrate the New Year in their home country and embrace their family and friends,” she wrote in a Telegram message that went with the video.
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