The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced on Saturday that it successfully mediated a prisoner exchange agreement between Ukraine and Russia, resulting in the release of 230 detainees held by both nations.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the country’s role in facilitating the deal, which saw 115 prisoners from each side regain their freedom.
“The UAE has successfully mediated a new captives exchange between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, resulting in the release of 230 captives,” the UAE foreign ministry stated.
The exchange took place as Ukraine intensified its military offensive in the Russian region of Kursk and as Russia continued its operations in eastern Ukraine.
The swap also coincided with Ukrainian Independence Day, adding symbolic significance to the event.
Both Kyiv and Moscow expressed gratitude to the UAE for its role in brokering the deal.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the return of 115 Ukrainian defenders, including soldiers from the National Guard, Armed Forces, Navy, and State Border Guard Service.
He shared photographs of the returning soldiers draped in Ukrainian flags.
“Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today,” Zelensky said.
On the Russian side, the Defence Ministry confirmed the return of 115 soldiers captured during Ukraine’s recent incursion into the Kursk region.
The ministry noted that the soldiers were currently in Belarus, receiving psychological and medical assistance before their return to Russia.
Images released by the ministry showed the freed soldiers near buses in a field.
The latest exchange is part of a series of prisoner swaps conducted throughout the ongoing conflict, which has lasted for more than two years.
Both Ukraine and Russia have engaged in numerous rounds of negotiations to secure the release of their respective captives.
