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Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on May 6, 2025

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· Last updated: January 24, 2026

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Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each
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Russia, Ukraine Exchange 205 Prisoners of War in UAE-Mediated Swap

(Reuters) - Russia and Ukraine swapped 205 prisoners of war each in an exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates, both sides said on Tuesday.

"Today, Ukraine has brought back 205 warriors," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram app, thanking the UAE for their help.

Russia's human rights ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova thanked Russia's defence ministry and other agencies involved.

"For many families, today has become a celebration of reunification - anxiety and uncertainty have given way to the joy of a loved one returning home," she said.

Ukraine's prisoners of war affairs organisation said the returned prisoners consisted of 202 enlisted men and three officers from various parts of the military and national guard.

It said today's swap was the fifth this year and the 64th of the entire war, which has run for more than 38 months.

(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Max Hunder and Filipp Lebedev; Editing by Andrew Heavens)

Key Takeaways

  • Russia and Ukraine exchanged 205 prisoners each.
  • The exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
  • This is the fifth prisoner swap between the two countries this year.
  • Ukrainian President Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to the UAE.
  • Russia's Tatiana Moskalkova thanked the defense ministry for their role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
The main topic is the exchange of 205 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by the UAE.
Who mediated the prisoner exchange?
The United Arab Emirates mediated the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine.
How many prisoner swaps have occurred this year?
This is the fifth prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine this year.

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