Russia-Ukraine Swap of 206 Prisoners Mediated by UAE

The United Arab Emirates has mediated an exchange of 206 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, with each side releasing 103 prisoners. This marks the eighth UAE-brokered swap in the two-and-a-half-year conflict. The Russian soldiers were captured in the Kursk region, where Ukrainian forces recently made a significant incursion. The exchange included members of Ukraine's Azov brigade, some of whom had been held since the siege of Mariupol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the military units responsible for capturing Russian soldiers, emphasizing the importance of these swaps in bringing home Ukrainian POWs. This development follows another swap two weeks ago, where both countries exchanged 115 prisoners each.