Russia and Ukraine:The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange of over 300 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine before New Year’s Eve.
In a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia and Ukraine, who have been at war since February 2022, made a memorable finish to 2024 by swapping over 300 prisoners of war.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 150 Russian soldiers were repatriated from Kyiv regime-controlled territory on December 30 as a consequence of the negotiation process. 150 POWs from the Ukrainian army were turned over in exchange.
`189 Ukrainians, including soldiers, border guards, and two civilians, came home from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy.
“Defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol,” the Chernobyl nuclear power facility, and Snake Island were among those freed, he continued.
“We are trying to get everyone out of custody in Russia. This is what we want to achieve. We don’t overlook anyone,” he added.
Zelenskyy also shared pictures of some of the men who were switched seated on a coach with Ukrainian flags in yellow and blue.
According to both parties, the United Arab Emirates mediated the most recent exchange.
Since February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine, hundreds of soldiers have been traded between the two countries.
Russia has released 3,956 people, including civilians and troops, in agreements with Kyiv since the crisis began, Ukraine said on Monday.
In the meantime, the majority of the Russian captives that were freed were taken during Ukraine’s earlier this year attack in the Kursk region.
The exchange was significant because it was the eleventh of its kind in 2024, increasing the total number of Ukrainian detainees released this year to 1,358. It was also one of the largest prisoner exchanges to date and the 59th since the full-scale invasion started.
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, published a video showing soldiers in winter clothing and military fatigues assembled outside busses.
Wishing them a happy New Year’s holiday, Moskalkova added, “I thank you for your service, patience, and courage.”
She wrote in a Telegram message that accompanied the video, “Very soon our guys will embrace their relatives and friends and celebrate the New Year in their native land.”
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