Russia, Ukraine swap 150 POWs each in UAE-mediated deal
- 5 February, 09:07
Russia and Ukraine have swapped 150 prisoners of war each in a prisoner swap amid the nearly three years of war.
Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the swap, stating that 150 Russian prisoners had been returned from Ukrainian captivity. The released Russian POWs were undergoing medical checks in allied Belarus and will be sent to Russia, the ministry added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also confirmed the return of 150 Ukrainian POWs, stating that some of them had been in captivity for more than two years. Zelenskiy shared photos of the freed servicemen some of whom were draped in national flag, sitting in a bus on their way home.
Both countries credited the United Arabic Emirates for mediating the exchange of prisoners. The latest of prisoner swaps between the two countries was held in late January. This was the 59th prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
