Russia and Ukraine carried out an exchange of hundreds of prisoners of war on Wednesday, representing the largest release of detainees since the war began in February 2022.
In a message posted on the social network Telegram, President Zelensky announced the release of “more than 200” Ukrainian prisoners of war. The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, declared that 248 Russian soldiers had been released as part of this exchange concluded thanks to the mediation of the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE has maintained close economic ties with Moscow, despite Western sanctions and pressure on Russia following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
According to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, this is the 49th prisoner exchange since the start of the war.
Some Ukrainians had been detained since 2022. Among them were those who fought in the decisive battles for Snake Island and the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.