Ukraine and Russia in ‘biggest prisoner swap’ so far
Ukraine and Russia have completed a significant exchange of prisoners, characterized by Kyiv officials as the largest swap during the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian authorities reported the release of 230 individuals, encompassing active members of the armed forces and border guards, from Russian captivity. In return, Ukraine freed 248 Russians in a mediated agreement facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.
This marks the most substantial prisoner exchange since August of the previous year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed relief, stating on social media, “Our people are home,” and highlighting the return of over 200 warriors and civilians from Russian captivity.
The Russian Ministry of Defence acknowledged the challenging nature of the negotiations.
While prisoner exchanges have occurred sporadically since the commencement of Russia’s full-scale war in February 2022, Ukrainian leaders noted a slowdown last month, attributing it to Russia’s specific reasons.
Both Russian and Ukrainian officials shared images of the releases, with a video from Moscow showing freed Russians smiling on a bus. Among the released Ukrainian soldiers were seven defenders of Snake Island, situated in the Black Sea.
Snake Island became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance hours into Russia’s full-scale invasion when a border guard posted there refused to surrender to the Russian warship Mosvka.
Others released included National Guardsmen captured at the Chernobyl exclusion zone and soldiers detained during the battle for the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Six of those released were civilians, according to Kyiv.
Both sides thanked the United Arab Emirates for mediating the deal.
Last month, Ukraine said it had freed some 2,598 people from Russian captivity during a process of 48 swaps.
Some Ukrainian prisoners of war previously freed from Russian captivity have said they were subject to torture, including beatings and electric shocks.
