The Russian defence ministry said 248 servicemen had been handed over by Ukraine. Kiev said it had sent home 230 people – including 224 soldiers and six civilians – in what was believed to be the largest troop exchange on record to date.
Ukrainian prisoners of war pose for a photo after an exchange. Photo: REUTERS
The UAE's foreign ministry confirmed its role, saying in a statement that the exchange was made possible thanks to "strong friendly relations" with both Moscow and Kiev.
The exchange offered both further humanitarian efforts and finding a peaceful solution to the war.
A video released by the Ukrainian authorities showed the returned prisoners carrying the country's blue and yellow flag as they stepped off a bus and sang the national anthem. Most of them appeared to be in good health. One returnee shouted: "We're home! You haven't forgotten us!"
The Russian Defense Ministry released a similar video showing prisoners in uniform returning to Belgorod by bus. “I’ll be home in five hours, it will be a pleasure,” said one unnamed man.
Although there have been no talks on how to end the 22-month war, Kiev and Moscow have held several prisoner exchanges since the early months of Russia's February 2022 offensive.
Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's HUR military intelligence service, pointed to the UAE's "direct role", saying: "After a considerable period of time, we managed to carry out a very difficult prisoner exchange."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was “truly a great day for Ukraine” and pledged to continue exchanges. He said some of those who had returned had been listed as missing.
Those returning to Ukraine come from various branches of the armed forces and include those who took part in the nearly three-month defense of the Azovstal steel plant in the port of Mariupol before it was seized by Russian forces in May 2022.
On the Russian side, a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry said the released prisoners would be examined and given medical treatment. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova thanked President Vladimir Putin and the military and intelligence agencies for their efforts in the exchange.
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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