Ukraine and Russia exchanged more than 200 prisoners of war in what Kiev called the largest prisoner swap between the two countries since the war began in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the news in a social media post on Wednesday, announcing the return of more than 200 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity.
The two sides have exchanged prisoners throughout the conflict, but this is the first major exchange since August.
Among the group are seven soldiers who defended Snake Island, a rocky island in the Black Sea that became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance in February 2022, when Ukrainian defenders managed to prevent Russian soldiers from taking power.
Soldiers who defended the besieged southern city of Mariupol and its Azovstal steel plant were also exchanged for prisoners of war held at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, according to the Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak.
The video released by the Ukrainian Presidency shows the freed Ukrainian prisoners gathered in front of the carriages. Some of them are draped in the blue and white flag of Ukraine.
Posting on Telegram, Yermak called it a “difficult exchange after a long break.” The last major prisoner exchange was held in August 2023, with Yermak pledging on Wednesday to continue working to secure the release of all detained Ukrainians.
In return, Russia said 248 Russian military personnel were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory. In a publication on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defense credited the exchange to the “humanitarian intervention” of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ministry pledged to provide all “necessary medical and psychological assistance” to returning soldiers, adding that they will receive treatment in medical centers operated by the ministry.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the success of the mediation as a reflection of the friendly relations the UAE maintains with Russia and Ukraine, according to WAM Emirates News Agency.
The exchange marks a rare moment of cooperation in the war, which is approaching its third year and has recently seen some of the most severe attacks ever launched.
In December, Russia launched its largest air strike on Ukraine since the start of the conflict, killing at least 47 people and injuring more than 150 others.
Shortly afterwards, in one of its deadliest attacks inside Russian territory, Russia said Ukraine shelled the border city of Belgorod, killing 24 people, including three children, and injuring 107 others.
Source: CNN Brasil
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