Major Prisoner Exchange Conducted by Russia and Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine conducted a significant exchange of 206 prisoners following UAE-mediated negotiations. This event marked the second swap within two days, with President Zelenskiy attributing its success to recent Ukrainian military actions. The exchange featured soldiers captured early in the conflict and those from the Kursk incursion.

Russia and Ukraine executed a major prisoner exchange on Saturday, swapping 206 detainees after successful negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates, officials announced. Each nation released 103 individuals in their second such swap within two days.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attributed the release of the prisoners to a recent Ukrainian incursion into Russia. He reported that the freed Ukrainians, consisting of 82 soldiers, privates, and 21 officers, had been detained since the early months of the war.

In a Telegram post, Zelenskiy welcomed back the 103 returning Ukrainian soldiers, expressing gratitude to the combat forces and exchange team. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that the 103 Russian soldiers returned had been captured during Ukraine's August incursion into the border Kursk region.

(With inputs from agencies.)