Russia, Ukraine free 190 soldiers in latest prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine have released a total of 190 captured soldiers in the latest prisoner exchange between the two countries, officials in Moscow and Kyiv announced on Wednesday.

Thousands of Prisoners of War (POWs) have been freed in more than 50 individual exchanges throughout the war — an area where the two sides have been able to strike rare agreements since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russia’s defence ministry on Wednesday said that 95 of their soldiers had been freed.

“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.

“As a result of a negotiation process, 95 Russian servicemen… have been returned,” Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram.

The ministry shared video images of the freed Russian soldiers smiling and chanting “Glory to Russia” as they were transported by bus to an undisclosed location.

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.

Exchanges have taken place sporadically throughout the conflict.

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