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A surprise prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine was revealed on Saturday, with each country releasing 115 prisoners of war. This exchange occurs just over two weeks after Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack on Russian soil in the Kursk region.
The prisoner exchange coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day celebrations, as well as Kyiv’s ongoing military push into Russia’s Kursk region. Meanwhile, Russian forces are setting their sights on additional towns in eastern Ukraine, hinting at a potentially escalating conflict.
The United Arab Emirates has emerged as an unlikely peacemaker in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both nations acknowledging its crucial role in mediating the prisoner swap. The UAE’s diplomatic intervention helped secure the release of 115 prisoners of war from each side.
“Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today. These are soldiers of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, the State Border Guard Service,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Photographs of freed prisoners of war, proudly wrapped in Ukrainian flags, have been published, capturing the joy and relief of their release. These powerful images serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of Ukrainian nationalism.
Ukraine’s military had previously announced that it had captured hundreds of Russian soldiers during its bold incursion into the Kursk region on August 6, a move that caught the Kremlin off guard.
Read also: Russian Prisoners Stage Mutiny, Hold Staff Members Hostage
Moscow confirmed the exchange and said it had returned 115 soldiers taken captive in Kursk:
“As a result of a negotiation process, 115 Russian servicemen taken prisoner in the Kursk region have been returned from territories controlled by the Kyiv regime,” the Russian defence ministry said.
The ministry said the troops were currently in neighbouring Belarus, where they are receiving “psychological-medical help” and will be brought to Russia soon.
It released images of the men near busses in a field.
Behind the scenes, the United Arab Emirates has been working tirelessly to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, and its efforts have paid off with a successful prisoner exchange. This major breakthrough has the potential to reshape the conflict’s dynamics and raise hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Despite the entrenched conflict, Ukraine and Russia have managed to find room for prisoner exchanges, with multiple rounds taking place over the past two years. These exchanges have offered a crucial lifeline for those detained, allowing them to reunite with their families and loved ones.
