In one of the largest prisoner exchanges since the start of the war more than three years ago, Ukraine and Russia have swapped 410 prisoners of war. The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The news followed an emotional announcement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared on social media that “Our people are free. Our people are home.”
Photos posted online showed freed Ukrainian soldiers hugging loved ones and waving the national flag. Among the 205 returned to Ukraine were three officers and 202 soldiers and sergeants who had served in key conflict areas including Mariupol and the front lines.
Many of these soldiers had spent long months in captivity and were scattered across Russia in a prison system often described as cruel and dehumanizing. Their release has brought not only relief to their families but also a rare moment of hope in the ongoing war.
On the Russian side, their returning soldiers were taken to Belarus where they are receiving medical and psychological evaluations.
The UAE had a pivotal role in engaging the two sides in the agreement and both Kyiv and Moscow have publicly thanked the Emirates for its work. It was the 15th prisoner exchange facilitated by the UAE which has helped free 4,181 captives in total.
The UAE involvement has not only eased humanitarian suffering but also strengthened its international reputation as a neutral and effective peacemaker. The UAE has managed to gain the trust of both Russia and Ukraine, by staying diplomatically active and engaging both sides despite their deep hostilities
The Emirati Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the UAE remains committed to seeking a peaceful solution to the war.
The exchange came just before a planned 72 hour ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin. However Ukraine has rejected this temporary pause and called for a longer 30 day ceasefire to allow for real peace negotiations.
Zelenskyy criticized Russia and said, “The Russians are asking for a ceasefire on May 9 and are themselves firing at Ukraine every day. This is cynicism of the highest order”.
In the south, a Russian airstrike killed one person and injured another in Odessa while Ukrainian drone attacks forced Moscow to shut down four major airports for several hours. Drone debris even landed on highways though no major damage or injuries were reported.
Ukraine claimed that these drone attacks were a response to Russian continued aggression.
This latest prisoner exchange is a meaningful humanitarian act in the middle of an otherwise brutal war. It shows that even in dark times diplomacy, dialogue and third party mediation can lead to results that directly change lives.
Also read this: UAE Hosts High Stakes US Russia Prisoner Swap Amid Rising Diplomatic Hopes
