Russia and Ukraine exchange a total of 190 war prisoners
Zelenskyy emphasized, "We are bringing our people home further." The exchange was reportedly facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. The President's press service published photos of released Ukrainian soldiers; all with shaved heads and wrapped in Ukrainian flags.
Since the beginning of the Russian offensive war in February 2022, over 50 prisoner exchanges have resulted in the release of thousands of soldiers. The remains of slain soldiers are also regularly handed over to the respective countries.
The last major prisoner exchange between Moscow and Kiev took place about a month ago. At the end of June, both sides exchanged 90 detained military personnel each. Previously, each side had returned 100 prisoners to each other in February.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared in June that there were 1348 Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity. Russia had, in return, interned 6465 Ukrainian combatants.
In relation to the exchange in June, representatives of both sides reportedly met for the first time face-to-face. According to Russian representative Tatjana Moskalkova, a second meeting took place following the announcement of the exchange on Wednesday. The topic of discussion was the reunification of families separated by the war.
Kiev accuses Moscow of deporting thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia or territories controlled by Russia and demands their return. Moscow argues that the children were taken for their own protection from their homeland.
- Following the latest prisoner exchange in June, Volodymyr Zelensky's press service released photos of released Ukrainian soldiers, all with shaved heads and wrapped in Ukrainian flags.
- The United Arab Emirates reportedly facilitated the most recent prisoner exchange between Kiev and Moscow, resulting in the release of over one hundred ninety soldiers from each side.
- Despite the numerous prisoner exchanges between Kiev and Moscow, Kiev continues to accuse Russia of deporting thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia or territories controlled by Russia.
- In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that there were 1348 Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity, while Ukraine had 6465 of its combatants interned in Russia.
- The United Nations is urging Russia and Ukraine to facilitate a larger prisoner exchange, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has resulted in numerous Prisoners of War from both sides.
