Russia, Ukraine exchange 103 prisoners each amid ongoing conflict

Russia and Ukraine have conducted a prisoner exchange, with both sides releasing 103 individual each, in a major swap deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates, according to Russia’s defence ministry, Reuters reported.

The ministry stated that the Russian soldiers involved in the exchange had been captured in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian forces had gained control of the territory last month during their first significant incursion into Russian soil.

“At present, all Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are being provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance, as well as an opportunity to contact their relatives,” the statement added.

According to the Emirati state news agency WAM, the UAE facilitated the exchange of 206 prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, marking the country’s eighth mediation effort amidst the conflict.