Moscow, December 31, 2024 – The Europe Today: Russia and Ukraine have exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war in a significant deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to media reports. The swap marked the 59th such exchange since the onset of the full-scale conflict in February 2022 and is among the largest to date.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that 150 Ukrainian prisoners were exchanged for an equal number of Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, however, announced that 189 Ukrainians had been released, including defenders of Azovstal and Mariupol, personnel from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and soldiers captured on Snake Island.
Emotional Reunions in Ukraine
Freed Ukrainian prisoners were welcomed home in a northern region of Ukraine, where emotional reunions with their families unfolded. Media captured poignant scenes, including Alina, who tearfully awaited her husband Oleksandr, a soldier captured in Mariupol in 2022.
“I have so many emotions,” she said. “It’s been so difficult. I just want to see him.”
Anatoliy, another released prisoner from Mariupol, expressed gratitude. “Thank God this day has come. We’re home. Now we’re going to support Ukraine with everything we’ve got,” he said.
Igor, a former captive, added, “I’m very happy to return to my own country, to my own land. I have no words to say what I feel now.”
Russian Troops Return Home
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that released Russian soldiers had been transported to Belarus for medical evaluations and the opportunity to contact their families. In a video shared by Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova, troops were seen boarding buses in military attire.
“Very soon, our guys will hug their families and friends and celebrate the New Year on their native land,” Moskalkova said.
Long Captivity and Challenges
On the Ukrainian side, the exchange included soldiers, border guards, National Guardsmen, and Navy personnel. Many had been held in captivity for over two-and-a-half years, with some suffering from severe illnesses and injuries. Among the freed were 11 members of the Azov Brigade, including soldiers who had defended Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant. Two civilians captured in Mariupol were also released.
For many families, the exchange brought an end to agonizing uncertainty. However, thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity, with Ukrainian officials estimating that more than 8,000 prisoners of war are still held in Russia and Russian-occupied territories.
Intensifying Negotiations
Ukrainian officials noted that negotiations for prisoner exchanges have become increasingly complex as Russian forces make advances on the battlefield. “We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone,” President Zelensky stated, sharing photos of freed Ukrainians holding the national flag.
