Russia and Ukraine exchanged over 300 prisoners of war on Monday in a swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates, officials from both countries confirmed, just days before New Year’s Eve.
This latest exchange continues a series of prisoner swaps that have occurred since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, one of the few points of negotiation between the two nations amid ongoing conflict.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced, “On December 30, through negotiation efforts, 150 Russian servicemen were returned from territory under Kyiv’s control. In exchange, 150 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Ukraine received 189 individuals, including soldiers, border guards, and two civilians from Mariupol, a city now under Russian occupation.
“We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone,” Zelensky emphasized.
Ukraine also noted that Moscow has released a total of 3,956 individuals—both military and civilian—in exchanges since the start of the war.
Officials from both sides acknowledged that the United Arab Emirates facilitated the latest exchange.
Footage shared by Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner, showed soldiers in winter clothing and military uniforms gathered near buses. In the video, Moskalkova expressed gratitude for their service, patience, and courage, wishing them a happy New Year.
“Soon, our soldiers will reunite with their families and celebrate the New Year on their native soil,” she wrote in a Telegram post accompanying the video.
Zelensky shared photos of the Ukrainian returnees holding yellow-and-blue flags, seated on a bus, moments after their release.
