Camilla Jessen
On the eve of Russia’s proposed Victory Day ceasefire, Moscow and Kyiv carried out a prisoner swap.
Ukraine and Russia have completed another prisoner exchange, with 205 Ukrainian soldiers returning home, according to announcements made Tuesday by both governments.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the exchange involved an equal number of Russian prisoners handed over by Ukraine.
The operation took place with the mediation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This latest swap comes just one day before a unilateral ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin in honor of May 9 Victory Day celebrations — a gesture rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Ukrainian authorities, the freed soldiers are already back in Ukrainian-controlled territory, where they are undergoing medical checks and psychological support, as is standard after months in captivity.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said its returned troops were taken to Belarus, where they are receiving military and psychological assistance, and are being offered the chance to speak with their families before being transferred to Russian hospitals for rehabilitation.
Both sides expressed thanks to the UAE, which has increasingly played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating these humanitarian exchanges.
This exchange follows another held on April 19, during an Easter ceasefire, when 277 Ukrainian prisoners were returned in exchange for 261 Russians.
