Russia and Ukraine conduct third major prisoner exchange facilitated by UAE

Russia and Ukraine have conducted their third prisoner exchange in seven weeks, involving 190 individuals, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Wednesday that all 95 freed Ukrainians were military personnel and thanked the UAE for its mediation.

This marks the third exchange since late May. Since Russia's invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has secured the return of 3,405 people. The Ukrainian Coordinating Committee on Prisoners of War reported that seven officers and 88 soldiers and sergeants, most captured in 2022, were among the freed.

The committee said that 23 of the released had defended Mariupol and were captured in May 2022. They also highlighted the long-term medical needs of many returning soldiers.

Russia's defence ministry said on Telegram that the returning soldiers would undergo medical exams and rehabilitation, having faced "mortal danger" in Ukrainian captivity.

The countries exchanged 90 prisoners in a previous swap in June.

^{© PHOTO UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP}

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