UAE Facilitates Major Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap, 115 POWs Exchanged As Kyiv Celebrates Independence Day

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 115 prisoners each amid hostilities. The swap, facilitated by the UAE, includes Russian soldiers captured in a recent attack in Kursk and Ukrainian defenders, notably from Mariupol.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared images on social media, featuring Ukrainian PoWs draped in the nation’s blue and yellow flags

Source : X/@ZelenskyyUa

In a significant development amid ongoing hostilities, Russia and Ukraine have successfully exchanged 115 prisoners of war from each side, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the first prisoner swap since Ukraine's recent surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region on 6 August—the most substantial foreign incursion into Russian territory since World War II.

The exchange coincided with Ukraine’s 33rd Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, commemorating the anniversary of the Act of Declaration of Independence, which marked Kyiv’s departure from the Soviet Union, The Guardian reported.

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the Russian soldiers exchanged were captured during the incident in the Kursk region. The released Russian servicemen have been transported to Belarus, where they will undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation before returning to Russia. The Ministry expressed gratitude to the UAE for its crucial role in facilitating the swap.

Zelenskyy Thanks UAE For Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared images on social media, featuring Ukrainian prisoners draped in the nation’s blue and yellow flags, embracing one another. Zelenskyy noted that those returned included members from the border guards, national guard, navy, and armed forces. He extended thanks to the Ukrainian troops who played a vital role in replenishing the pool of prisoners available for exchange.

Another 115 of our defenders have returned home today. These are warriors of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, and the State Border Guard Service.

We remember everyone. We are searching for them and making every effort to bring them all back.

I am grateful to each… pic.twitter.com/XiMAeANsOd

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 24, 2024

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights, revealed that 82 of the returned Ukrainian prisoners had previously defended the port of Mariupol in 2022, as per Guardian. 

The UAE Foreign Ministry confirmed its role in the mediation effort, noting that the total number of prisoners exchanged through its mediation now stands at 1,788. This exchange is the seventh facilitated by the UAE since the onset of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. An Emirati official had previously indicated that further exchanges were anticipated as a result of the Gulf state's diplomatic efforts.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Abu Dhabi has maintained warm relations with Moscow while also strengthening its ties with Kyiv. UAE officials assert that their diplomatic engagement with various international actors enables them to mediate between conflicting parties and foster cooperation and security.

On the same day, President Zelenskyy signed a law ratifying the Rome Statute, which will enable Ukraine to join the International Criminal Court. The law, now published on the Ukrainian parliament’s website, is also pivotal for Ukraine’s aspirations to strengthen ties with the European Union