A prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was carried out on the eve of New Year's Eve following mediation by the United Arab Emirates.
Very good news
Monday, December 30, Russia announced that it had carried out a exchange of 150 soldiers taken prisoner from each of the two camps on the eve of New Year's Eve, reports Le Figaro.
“On December 30, following a negotiation process, 150 Russian soldiers were repatriated from territory controlled by the kyiv regime. In exchange, 150 prisoners of war from the Ukrainian army were handed over“, the Russian army said in a statement.
For his part, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the release of 189 Ukrainians, including two civilians, calling it “very good news“.
United Arab Emirates mediation
According to the Russian army, “the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation for the return from captivity of Russian servicemen, who are currently in Belarus“. Note that this country is very active in discussions on prisoner exchanges between kyiv and Moscow. The United Arab Emirates also acts as a mediator to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children from the Russia.
Exchanges of remains of killed soldiers
Tatiana Moskalkova, Russian human rights ombudsman, praised the “courage” of the Russian soldiers released on Telegram.
Since the Russian offensive in February 2022 in Ukrainethe two countries exchanged hundreds of prisoners. They also carry out regular exchanges of remains of soldiers killed in the fighting.
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