The largest exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the war

Nearly 500 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers have returned home following the largest prisoner-of-war exchange to date, facilitated by negotiations in which the United Arab Emirates participated. The exchange, announced on Wednesday, saw the release of 230 Ukrainians and 248 Russians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared the news on social media, stating that 230 Ukrainians, including 213 soldiers and sergeants, 11 officers, and six civilians, had been freed. Some of the released military personnel had been involved in the defense of Mariupol, where they held out for nearly three months at the Azovstal plant.

The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirmed the exchange, reporting that 248 Russian citizens were released from Ukrainian captivity as a result of negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

The largest exchange of prisoners since the beginning of the war. Almost 500 soldiers

While not the first prisoner exchange since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, recent months have seen difficulties in reaching agreements. The previous exchange occurred in early August. According to Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, since the beginning of the war, 2,576 Ukrainians have been released by the Russians.

Despite the recent exchange, it is reported that at least four thousand Ukrainian soldiers remain in Russian captivity. The exact number is unknown on both sides, as both countries' armies do not disclose such information.

The Wednesday exchange followed several days of intense Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians. Explosions were also reported on Russian territory, specifically in Belgorod, where Ukrainians conducted the most intense shelling since the war's commencement, leading to 25 casualties, including five children.