Russia and Ukraine swap war prisoners, according to Moscow’s announcement

The Russian defense ministry has confirmed the release of 195 Russian prisoners of war from Ukraine, in exchange for an equal number of Ukrainian PoWs.

Reuters reports:

In a statement on Wednesday, the Russian defense ministry declared that it had successfully concluded a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, with each side receiving 195 soldiers. The statement mentioned that Russian soldiers would be transported to Moscow for medical and psychological treatment.

According to the RIA state news agency, the United Arab Emirates played a role in facilitating the deal.

“On January 31, as a result of the negotiation process, 195 Russian servicemen who were in grave danger in captivity were returned from the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In return, exactly 195 prisoners from the armed forces of Ukraine were handed over,” stated the defense ministry.

This marks the first prisoner exchange since the crash of a Russian military transport plane last week, which Moscow claims carried 65 Ukrainian soldiers who were intended to be part of the exchange.

Russia alleges that Ukraine shot down the plane with a surface-to-air missile, resulting in the death of all 74 individuals on board.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the plane crash and has demanded evidence regarding who was aboard the aircraft.