Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine swap 206 prisoners in exchange deal, Zelensky says

Author: Editors Desk Source: France 24

September 14, 2024 at 08:05

Ukrainians are greeted after being released in a prisoner exchange at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, September 13, 2024. © Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP

Russia and Ukraine successfully exchanged 103 prisoners of war each on Saturday in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates. Despite ongoing hostilities, the two nations have managed several POW swaps throughout the conflict, with this latest exchange following a similar deal just three weeks ago.

Russia said Saturday it swapped 103 Ukrainian soldiers held captive for an equal number of Russian POWs in an exchange deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates.

The Russian troops freed in Saturday's swap were captured during Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region, which began on 6 August, according to the Russian defence ministry.

"As a result of the negotiation process, 103 Russian servicemen captured in the Kursk region were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime," the Russian defence ministry said.

"In return, 103 Ukrainian army prisoners of war were handed over."

"At present, all Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are being provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance, as well as an opportunity to contact their relatives," the ministry added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Ukraine brought home 103 servicemen from Russian captivity.

"Our people are home. We have successfully brought back another 103 warriors from Russian captivity to Ukraine," Zelensky wrote on social media platform X.

"I thank our exchange team for delivering such good news for Ukraine," he added.