Russia and Ukraine Exchange 115 POWs with UAE Mediation

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 115 prisoners of war on Saturday, facilitated by the UAE. This marks the first exchange since Ukraine's August 6 attack in the Kursk region. Russian soldiers are now in Belarus for medical treatment. Both nations expressed gratitude for the UAE's role in the exchange.

In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine each swapped 115 prisoners of war on Saturday, thanks to mediation by the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first swap since Ukraine's audacious August 6 incursion into the Kursk region, Russia's largest foreign attack since World War Two.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the returned Russian servicemen were captured in the Kursk region and are now in Belarus undergoing medical treatment. The ministry also expressed its appreciation for the UAE's pivotal role in facilitating the exchange.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared images of Ukrainian POWs wrapped in national flags, highlighting the diverse group of returned servicemen from various military branches. Zelenskiy lauded the troops who made the exchange possible and emphasized the buffer zone Ukraine has established in the contested area.

Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, noted that 82 of the returned POWs defended Mariupol in 2022. The UAE foreign ministry confirmed its role in the exchange, revealing that 1,788 captives have been swapped through its mediation efforts since the conflict began.

This latest exchange is the seventh overseen by the UAE since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An Emirati official informed Reuters about the ongoing mediation. Despite its close ties with the US, Abu Dhabi has maintained relations with Moscow and strengthened ties with Kyiv, leveraging its diplomatic channels to promote security and cooperation.

(With inputs from agencies.)