Russia and Ukraine have successfully carried out the exchange of 206 prisoners of war, facilitated by mediation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Russia’s Ministry of Defence, 103 servicemen among those released were captured during the recent incursion into Kursk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared images of the returned individuals on Saturday, stating, “Our people are home.”
This exchange follows a surprise offensive by Ukrainian forces last month, which advanced 30km into the Kursk region, drawing attention to the ongoing conflict’s dynamics. Zelensky confirmed that those liberated included 82 privates and sergeants along with 21 officers from various security forces who had been captured while defending key regions such as Kyiv, Donetsk, Mariupol, and Zaporizhzhia.
In a statement, Russia indicated that its released soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they will receive necessary psychological and medical support and be allowed to contact family before returning home. The UAE has played a neutral yet pivotal role in facilitating previous exchanges between the two countries.
In August, a prior agreement had resulted in a total exchange of 230 prisoners. The recent incursion into Kursk also aimed to divert Russian troops from their operations in eastern Ukraine, highlighting the intricate strategies at play in this ongoing conflict.
As the prisoner swap unfolded, Russia announced the recapture of a significant village in eastern Ukraine, where it has seen increased success in recent weeks. The Ministry of Defence reported the reclaiming of Zhelanne Pershe in the Pokrovsk district, situated less than 30km from the vital railway town of Pokrovsk, which is central to logistical operations for Ukrainian forces in the strategic Donbas region.
