1 of 4 Ukrainians detained by the Russian army upon their release on January 3, 2023 Photo: Disclosure/Army of Ukraine/Via Portal 2 of 4 Ukrainian soldiers detained by the Russian army on January 3, 2023 Photo: Disclosure/Army of Ukraine/Portal 3 out of 4 Ukrainian soldiers upon their release, on January 3, 2023 Photo: Disclosure/Army of Ukraine/Portal 4 out of 4 Ukrainian soldiers detained by the Russians cry upon their release , in January 3, 2023 Photo: Disclosure/Ukrainian Army/ Via Portal
The two countries exchanged prisoners of war
Ukraine and Russia announced this Wednesday (3) their first exchange of prisoners of war in almost five months, releasing more than 200 on both sides, according to Moscow's assessment of a complex negotiation mediated by the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates.
- According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 248 Russian military personnel have been extradited from Ukraine.
- According to the Ukrainian government, 230 people (224 soldiers and six civilians) who fought for the country have been released.
This was the largest troop exchange documented to date.
Ukraine's POW Coordination Center also briefly acknowledged the UAE's role in the exchange, without providing details.
Despite the lack of dialogue on ending the 22month war, Kiev and Moscow have carried out numerous prisoner exchanges since the first months of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
However, the exchange rate fell in 2023 and the last one occurred in early August.
Five people are killed in a Russian attack on major cities in Ukraine