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World

Russia and Ukraine swap 270 prisoners of war each in latest exchange

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 270 prisoners of war each on Friday, with Kyiv bringing home nine civilians and five servicemen once thought killed in the 2022 Olenivka blast.

By James Calloway · · 1 min read

Freed Ukrainian servicemen wrapped in Ukrainian flags after a prisoner exchange with Russia. Photo: President of Ukraine press service, via Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
Photo: President of Ukraine press service, via Wikimedia Commons

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 270 prisoners of war each on Friday, in the latest large-scale swap in the four-and-a-half-year war, Reuters reported.

Nine civilians were among those Kyiv brought back, according to Ukrainian officials. Most of the returned servicemen had been in captivity since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion, and many had defended the port city of Mariupol.

In a post on X, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote: “We remember one and all and continue searching for everyone.”

Among the returnees were five Ukrainian prisoners whom officials had previously believed were killed in the explosion at the Olenivka detention facility in July 2022, according to Ukrainska Pravda. The returnees included National Guard troops — including Azov warriors — border guards, Territorial Defence, Navy, Ground Forces, Airborne Assault and State Special Transport Service personnel, many of whom had been unlawfully convicted in Russia.

Russia’s defence ministry said on Telegram that its freed servicemen were in Belarus and would be transported to Russia after receiving psychological and medical assistance.

The UAE Foreign Ministry said the swap was the 27th detainee exchange through UAE-led mediation, bringing the total exchanged through the Emirates’ efforts to 8,537.

The swap followed talks with US negotiators earlier this week, Reuters reported. The previous large-scale exchange took place in August.

Sources:

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