In the most recent prisoner exchange between the two nations, Russia and Ukraine have freed 190 seized troops in total, authorities in both Moscow and Kyiv said on Wednesday.
Throughout the conflict, thousands of prisoners of war have been released in more than 50 separate exchanges; this is one area where the two sides have been able to reach unusual accords since Russia invaded in February 2022.
On Wednesday, the Russian Ministry of Defense and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky both announced the release of 95 of their servicemen.
“We continue to bring our people home. Another 95 defenders have been released from Russian captivity,” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram.
He said the exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
Russia’s defense ministry posted on Telegram that 95 Russian servicemen have been returned as a result of a negotiation process.
The ministry released footage showing the liberated Russian troops grinning and cheering “Glory to Russia” on their bus ride to an unidentified destination.
Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova shared a video in which the soldiers, interviewed by Russian officials, said they felt well and did not complain of any health problems.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that 1,348 Russian soldiers were being held in Ukrainian captivity, and that Russia had detained 6,465 Ukrainian POWs.
