Russia and Ukraine exchange 100 prisoners each after UAE mediation

In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine swapped 100 prisoners of war (POWs) each. The exchange was successfully facilitated by the UAE, 

which has been actively involved in diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the two countries. This marks the third mediation effort by the UAE since December,

 emphasizing the importance of dialogue and de-escalation. As the returning servicemen undergo medical checks, families on both sides can breathe a sigh of relief, these humanitarian gestures remind us that bridges of cooperation can be built even in times of conflict

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the intelligence directorate at the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, urged Ukrainians to disregard scepticism about the time involved in a complicated process.

“As you can see, it has taken a bit of time, but the only thing that matters is the result. Look over there and you have the answer to your question,” Budanov said at the undisclosed site of the servicemen’s return.

In January, the two countries exchanged 195 POWs each, in the first prisoner swap since the crash of a Russian military transport plane that Moscow said was carrying 65 Ukrainian soldiers.

The Il-76 transport plane was downed in Russia’s Belgorod region. Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of downing the plane using a US Patriot missile.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied that it downed the plane and has demanded proof of who was on board.

Both sides have carried out periodic prisoner swaps via intermediaries since the war began nearly two years ago, despite the absence of any peace talks between them since the early months of the conflict.