June 6 (THEWILL) — Russia and Ukraine have carried out a fresh prisoner exchange involving a total of 370 prisoners of war (POWs), offering relief to hundreds of families as both countries continue one of the few areas of cooperation amid their prolonged conflict.
The exchange, facilitated through humanitarian mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), saw both nations release 185 prisoners each in a reciprocal arrangement.
Confirming the development to newsmen on Saturday, Ms Daria Senyushina, Communications Officer at the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, said 185 Russian servicemen held in territories controlled by Ukraine were returned, while an equal number of Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) were also released under the agreement.
She said the UAE played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations and coordinating humanitarian efforts that made the latest exchange possible.
“The UAE provided humanitarian mediation that facilitated the return of the Russian servicemen from captivity”, Senyushina said.
She explained that the released Russian military personnel had been moved to the Republic of Belarus, where they are currently receiving immediate support and post-release assistance.
“The returned Russian servicemen are currently in the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving support and assistance”, she stated.
Senyushina further disclosed that the freed servicemen would undergo medical evaluations and psychological support before being transferred back to Russia for additional care and rehabilitation.
“After receiving the necessary psychological and medical care, they will be transferred to the Russian Federation for further treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defence”, she added.
According to her, the group that returned to Russia includes soldiers, officers and one civilian, many of whom had remained in captivity since 2022 following the escalation of the conflict between the two countries.
Since the outbreak of the war, prisoner exchanges have emerged as one of the few humanitarian channels maintained between Moscow and Kyiv despite continued hostilities on the battlefield.
The UAE has increasingly assumed a mediatory role in humanitarian initiatives involving both countries, particularly in negotiations related to prisoner swaps and civilian issues.
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