Ukraine and Russia held the first major prisoner exchange in almost four months on Friday, May 31.
Knewz.com has learned that 75 prisoners of war held captive by Russian forces, including 71 servicemembers, returned to Ukraine as part of the latest prisoner swap.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the prisoner exchange on Telegram, mentioning that the freed Ukrainian prisoners include soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, border guards, and four civilians.
“All this time, we did not stop working for a single day to bring home each and every one of the Russian captives,” the Ukrainian president wrote on social media.
“We remember everyone. We make every effort to find each and every one. Thanks to the team working on exchanges!” he added.
In the photos shared by the president on Telegram, emotional men and women can be seen adorned in the Ukrainian colors of blue and yellow, hugging their family members as they are reunited.
Dmytro Lubinets, a Ukrainian Ombudsman, told the news outlet Kyiv Post that personnel from his office were presented at the prisoner exchange site to ensure there was compliance with human rights, by international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
He also commented on the emotional scene that unfolded as many of the released prisoners met with their families for the first time since the beginning of the Ukraine war.
“Families reacted no less emotionally to the calls, as some had not heard from their relatives since the beginning of the Russian invasion,” he told Kyiv Post.
The Ministry of Defense of Russia also shared a statement regarding the prisoner exchange on Telegram, which read, “As a result of the negotiation process, 75 Russian military personnel, who were in mortal danger in captivity, were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime.”
“The released military personnel will be transported by military transport aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Ministry of Defense,” the statement added.
“All those released are provided with the necessary medical and psychological assistance.”
The United Arab Emirates played a significant diplomatic role in facilitating the prisoner exchange, and both Russia and Ukraine noted their efforts in their statements.
“During the return of Russian military personnel from captivity, the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation,” the Russian Defense Ministry mentioned in their Telegram post.
Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, expressed the nation’s gratitude to the UAE regarding the prisoner swap in his comments to Kyiv Post.
“Ukraine is actively working to garner international support for the return of our defenders and appreciates the assistance provided in this context,” Yusov said. “We are very grateful for the active mediation role played by the UAE.”
Back in January 2024, Russia and Ukraine held the biggest prisoner exchange of the war so far, with close to 500 imprisoned servicemen being returned to their respective countries. 230 Ukrainian prisoners, including members of its armed forces and border guards, were freed by Russia, and in return, Ukraine released 248 Russians.
The post Ukraine, Russia Hold First Major Prisoner Exchange in Nearly Four Months, 75 Ukrainian POWs Returned appeared first on Knewz.
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Author: Samyarup Chowdhury
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