UAE mediates release of 50 Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war

More than 2,500 captives have been freed since the start of last year with support of UAE

A picture shared by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of a prisoner released following UAE mediation at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photo: AFP

Russia and Ukraine each exchanged 25 prisoners of war on Wednesday, following mediation by the UAE.

The release of the 50 captives marks the 11th such Ukraine war swap brokered by the Emirates since the start of last year, when 2,583 citizens of the two countries have been freed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its appreciation to Russia and Ukraine for their co-operation with the UAE's mediation efforts, state news agency Wam reported.

The ministry reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to supporting ways to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has raged for nearly three years.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UAE for working to negotiate the release of 25 of his country's citizens.

“Bringing our people home is what Ukraine is constantly working on, and we will not stop until we bring all of our people back,” he wrote on social media platform X.

“Today, 25 more of our people are returning home to Ukraine. These are our military and civilians. Among them are the defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal, as well as of our Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

“Many of them have severe injuries and illnesses, and each will receive all the necessary medical care.

“I am grateful to the team that searches for our people and organises this important work. We extend our gratitude to the United Arab Emirates for their assistance in making today's event possible.”