Ukrainian prisoners of war sitting on a bus after an exchange
MOSCOW (Reuters) – Ukraine repatriated 189 prisoners of war in an exchange with Russia, President Volodimir Zelensky said on Monday.
“The return of our compatriots (…) is always very good news for each of us. And today is one of those days: our team managed to bring 189 Ukrainians home,” said on Telegram the Ukrainian president, who notably thanked the United Arab Emirates for their mediation efforts.
For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry said the two countries had each exchanged 150 prisoners. No explanation was given for the difference between the figures announced.
The Russian prisoners were released on Belarusian territory and will be transferred to Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry added.
Russia and Ukraine carried out an exchange of prisoners in October, following negotiations carried out under the mediation of the United Arab Emirates, during which a total of 190 people were released.
(Written by Felix Light, French version Noémie Naudin, edited by Kate Entringer)
Belgium
