Moscow: In a prisoner exchange deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Ukraine swapped 206 prisoners of war. Russia released 103 Ukrainian soldiers in exchange for an equal number of Russian POWs.
“103 Russian servicemen captured in the Kursk region were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime,” stated the Russian defense ministry on Saturday. “In return, 103 Ukrainian army prisoners of war were handed over.”
Human Rights Concerns
The exchange comes amid ongoing concerns over the treatment of prisoners on both sides. According to the United Nations, Ukrainian POWs often face routine medical neglect, severe mistreatment, and even torture while in detention. There have also been isolated reports of abuse of Russian soldiers, particularly during capture or transit to internment facilities. These reports have intensified calls for international monitoring and intervention to ensure humane treatment for all detainees.
Background of Recent Exchanges
This exchange follows a similar swap last month when both countries exchanged over 100 prisoners of war each, coinciding with Ukraine’s third Independence Day since Russia’s full-scale invasion. In that exchange, Ukraine reported that the 115 freed Ukrainian servicemen were mostly conscripts, many of whom had been captured in the initial months of the conflict. Among those released were nearly 50 soldiers who had been taken by Russian forces from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol.
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On the Russian side, the Ministry of Defense reported that the 115 Russian soldiers exchanged last month had been captured in the Kursk region. This area has been a flashpoint following Ukraine’s surprise offensive into Russian territory two weeks prior. The Russian ministry confirmed that these soldiers were first transported to Belarus and would subsequently be taken to Russia for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Significance of UAE Mediation
The involvement of the UAE in mediating this exchange highlights the growing international efforts to manage the humanitarian aspects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This UAE-brokered deal reflects a continuation of attempts to address the pressing issue of POWs, aiming to secure humane treatment and safe return for those captured.
