Russia, Ukraine Exchange 193 POWs Each

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 193 prisoners of war from each side on Friday, April 24, in a swap mediated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, marking another rare instance of cooperation amid their ongoing conflict.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that 193 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory, while Ukraine released an equal number of its captured personnel. The exchange took place in Belarus, where the freed Russian soldiers are currently receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transported home for further treatment and rehabilitation. On the Ukrainian side, the returned individuals included members of the armed forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, National Police, and State Special Transport Service. Many had been held in Russia's Chechnya region, with some suffering injuries and others facing what Ukrainian officials described as fabricated criminal charges in violation of the Geneva Conventions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the return of the 193 warriors in a Telegram post, stating, "It is important that exchanges continue and that our people return home." He added,...