At least 230 Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home and a total of 248 Russian soldiers were released from Ukrainian territory on Wednesday after the warring sides carried out a prisoner-of-war exchange brokered by the United Arab Emirates, The Independent reported.
Kyiv human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, reported that this was the 49th prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia during the war.
The UAE is among the few countries that have maintained close ties with Russia despite the latter’s isolation from the global stage and the sanctions being imposed on it. UAE Foreign Ministry officials stated that the successful exchange was due to “strong friendly relations between the UAE and both the Russian Federation and the Republic of Ukraine, which were supported by sustained calls at the highest levels.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that of the 230 Ukrainian servicemen released, 213 were soldiers and sergeants, 11 were officers and six were civilians.
Despite all of the challenges, we have good news today. 230 freed people. Initially, there was no information about some of them being held captive. They were considered missing in action. It is critical to keep hope alive.
After thanking high-ranking officials in Kyiv who worked on the exchange, Zelensky added that Ukraine would continue to work on the return of its people. Some of the released Ukrainians had been held by Russia since 2022. Among them were those who fought for Snake Island and Mariupol.
