Russia and Ukraine conducted a second major prisoner exchange, with a total of 206 prisoners being swapped. President Zelenskyy stated that all 103 Ukrainians returned were from the military, including soldiers, privates, and officers. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the 103 soldiers exchanged had been taken prisoner in the border Kursk region during a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces in August.
The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, marking the country’s eighth mediation effort since the beginning of 2024. This exchange was the third since Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region. Ukrainian officials have stated that capturing Russian soldiers during this incursion has helped secure the return of captured Ukrainians.
Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, noted that the majority of the freed Ukrainians had been in Russian captivity since the beginning of the invasion. He shared a video showing the servicemen shouting “Glory to Ukraine” after being released. This latest exchange brings the total number of freed Ukrainians to 3,672 in 57 exchanges so far.
The photographs shared by President Zelenskyy showed the returning servicemen wrapped in the national flag, hugging each other, talking on phones, and taking group pictures. This exchange highlights ongoing efforts to bring soldiers and civilians caught up in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine back home.
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