Ukraine and Russia completed a prisoner exchange, releasing 95 captives each, reported officials from both countries on Wednesday. This marks the 54th swap since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The exchange was confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Russian Defense Ministry. Meetings between officials of the two warring nations for such exchanges are carefully prepared and involve diplomatic negotiations. The exact total number of prisoners of war held by each side is not publicly disclosed.
President Zelenskyy mentioned on Telegram that the United Arab Emirates facilitated the agreement, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to locate and repatriate all individuals held captive. Photos shared by Zelenskyy showed mostly emaciated servicemen draped in Ukrainian flags in a rural setting. Some of the released Ukrainians had been in captivity for over two years, captured in areas like Mariupol during Russia’s initial offensive.
As per the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War in Ukraine, over 3,400 individuals, including civilians and military personnel, have returned from Russian captivity since the conflict began. The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the released Russian soldiers would be transported to Moscow for medical care and rehabilitation. Reports from the United Nations indicate that Ukrainian prisoners of war often face medical neglect, mistreatment, and even torture while in custody, with some Russian soldiers also experiencing abuse during capture or transfer to detention facilities.
The latest exchange follows a significant swap in January when Russia and Ukraine released hundreds of prisoners of war. These exchanges typically occur sporadically as part of agreements to repatriate captured troops.
