Ukraine and Russia have each exchanged 95 prisoners of war, marking the 54th such swap since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Officials from both countries announced the exchange on Wednesday, three weeks after their last swap, in a continuing series of agreements to return captured troops home.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange, highlighting the ongoing negotiations and diplomacy required for these prisoner swaps. The exact number of POWs held by each side remains undisclosed.
In a post on the Telegram messaging service, Zelenskyy acknowledged the role of the United Arab Emirates in brokering the agreement. The UAE has maintained friendly relations with both Moscow and Kyiv, facilitating the complex logistics of these exchanges.
Zelenskyy also shared photos of the returning Ukrainian servicemen, many of whom appeared gaunt with shaven heads. The images showed the released POWs standing against a backdrop of the open countryside, symbolizing their return to freedom.
“No matter how difficult it may be, we are looking for everyone who may be in captivity. We have to return everyone,” Zelenskyy wrote in his post, emphasizing Ukraine’s commitment to recovering all its captured soldiers.
Among the released Ukrainians were individuals who had been held for over two years, including those captured in Mariupol during Russia’s early offensive in the city and battles in the eastern Luhansk region. The country’s Coordination Headquarters for POWs provided support for their return.
Since the conflict began, over 3,400 people, including both civilians and military personnel, have been returned to Ukraine through these exchanges. The ongoing efforts underscore the enduring human cost of the war and the persistent drive for resolution and peace.
AP
