Ukraine and Russia have just completed a major prisoner swap, exchanging 95 soldiers each. This is the first big prisoner exchange in over a month, and it was made possible with the help of the United Arab Emirates, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry. More than half of the Ukrainian soldiers who were returned had been sentenced to long-term prison sentences or life imprisonment in Russia. These soldiers had fought in key battles, including the siege of Mariupol and in regions like Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv. This swap is just the latest in a series of prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion. In fact, over 3,600 Ukrainian soldiers have been returned home through these exchanges. Just last month, 152 Ukrainian prisoners were returned in another UAE-mediated swap. The exact number of Ukrainians still held in Russia remains unclear, but estimates suggest around 8,000 Ukrainians, including 1,600 civilians, are being held as prisoners of war.
Key Facts About the Prisoner Swap:
– Number of Prisoners Exchanged: 95 Ukrainian and 95 Russian soldiers.
– Mediator: United Arab Emirates.
– Previous Swap: 152 Ukrainian prisoners were returned in mid-September.
– Total Prisoners Returned to Ukraine: Over 3,600 since the start of the invasion. This prisoner swap is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and it highlights the importance of international mediation in resolving these kinds of disputes.
Source: Viewers Corner News