Russia and Ukraine Swap 103 Prisoners Each in UAE-Mediated Deal

Russia and Ukraine have completed a prisoner exchange, with each side releasing 103 servicemen, according to the Russian defence ministry. The swap took place on Wednesday near the Belarusian border, where the returning Russian troops were received by officials.

The Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they will receive psychological and medical assistance before being transported to Russia for further rehabilitation at defence hospitals. Video footage from the handover point showed the men boarding buses and making emotional phone calls to their families.

The exchange was facilitated by humanitarian mediation from the United Arab Emirates. Officials from both countries were present at the checkpoint in Novaya Guta, Belarus, with Ukraine's Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Russia's Human Rights Ombudswoman Yana Lantratova meeting on site.

The development marks another instance of the two nations engaging in prisoner swaps despite ongoing hostilities, offering a rare moment of relief for the families of those detained.