Moscow and kyiv carry out the largest exchange of prisoners since the start of the conflict

This is the largest operation of its kind since the start of the conflict. Russia and Ukraine announced on Wednesday January 3 that they had each released more than 230 prisoners of war.

“Following a complex negotiation process, 248 Russian soldiers were repatriated from territory controlled by the kyiv regime”wrote the Russian Defense Ministry in a press release broadcast on Telegram. “More than 200 of our soldiers and civilians have returned from Russian captivity”declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights, exactly 230 Ukrainian soldiers were exchanged during this “49th exchange” between kyiv and Moscow since the start of the Russian assault in February 2022.

United Arab Emirates mediation

This exchange is a first for several months, kyiv accusing Moscow of blocking negotiations on the subject and while bombings are increasing.

According to Ukraine and Russia, Wednesday’s exchange was made possible by mediation by the United Arab Emirates, an important partner of Russia in several humanitarian, economic and energy issues.