Russia, Ukraine exchange 103 prisoners each in deal mediated by UAE

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 103 prisoners of war (POWs) each in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The swap, confirmed by both Moscow and Kyiv on Saturday, brings the total number of captives exchanged through UAE mediation to nearly 2,000.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the return of Ukrainian soldiers, stating, “Our people are home.” He added that the 103 repatriated Ukrainians included 82 privates and sergeants, as well as 21 officers from various branches of Ukraine’s armed forces and law enforcement. “We have successfully brought back another 103 warriors from Russian captivity to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the release of 103 Russian servicemen, stating that they had been held in the Kursk region. “In return, 103 Ukrainian army prisoners of war were handed over,” the ministry said. The Russian POWs were transferred to Belarus, where they received medical and psychological assistance and were allowed to contact their families.

This latest exchange is part of ongoing efforts to repatriate prisoners from both sides, even as active fighting continues and peace talks remain stalled. The UAE has played a crucial intermediary role, facilitating prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Saturday’s exchange marks the eighth such instance of mediation by the Gulf nation.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized its role in supporting humanitarian efforts amid the conflict, noting that the total number of prisoners exchanged through its mediation now stands at 1,994. In one of the largest exchanges to date, the UAE facilitated the trade of 478 captives in January.

Despite the absence of formal peace negotiations between the two countries, prisoner swaps have become a rare channel for dialogue and de-escalation. In August, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 115 POWs each, also through UAE mediation. These exchanges underscore the potential of neutral intermediaries like the UAE to maintain humanitarian bridges in a conflict that shows little sign of resolution.

The continuation of such exchanges highlights a glimmer of diplomacy in the midst of a brutal war, offering hope that both sides can still engage in humanitarian actions despite the ongoing violence.