Russia and Ukraine exchanged over 300 prisoners in a major swap simply earlier than New Yr’s Eve, partly facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the information in a Telegram message. “The return of our folks from Russian captivity is all the time excellent information. As we speak, we managed to carry 189 Ukrainians dwelling,” he stated, as reported by The Guardian.
The Russian defence ministry acknowledged that 150 prisoners from both sides had been returned, although no rationalization was given for the differing numbers reported by Ukraine. In keeping with Ukraine’s coordinating centre for exchanges, the freed Ukrainians included troopers from the military, navy, nationwide guard, border guards, and two civilians.
Most of the Ukrainian prisoners had been held for the reason that early days of the struggle, which started in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. In the meantime, the Russian prisoners despatched again have been largely captured throughout Ukraine’s offensive within the Kursk area earlier this yr. The operation aimed to achieve leverage in potential negotiations and safe prisoners to commerce.
The alternate marked the eleventh such swap in 2024, bringing the whole variety of Ukrainian prisoners freed this yr to 1,358. Nevertheless, many stay in captivity. “We’re working to free everybody from Russian captivity. We don’t neglect anybody,” Zelenskyy stated, based on The Guardian.
Returning Ukrainian prisoners have shared accounts of harsh therapy whereas in Russian captivity, together with bodily abuse, humiliating searches, and threats. “Virtually everybody we’ve spoken to was tortured,” Maria Klymyk of the Media Initiative for Human Rights in Kyiv informed The Guardian. Some returned prisoners required medical consideration for accidents attributable to abuse, malnutrition, or neglect.
Pictures shared by Zelenskyy confirmed a number of the freed Ukrainians holding flags and celebrating their return. Equally, Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, shared movies of Russian troopers boarding buses, saying they might quickly reunite with household for the New Yr.
The prisoner alternate supplied a glimmer of hope as Ukraine confronted an unsure future. With Joe Biden’s administration asserting practically $6bn (£4.8bn) in support to Ukraine, together with $2.5bn in safety help, the US has reaffirmed its help. Biden acknowledged, “As we speak, I’m proud to announce this help because the Ukrainian folks proceed to defend their independence,” The Guardian reported.
In the meantime, considerations stay over Donald Trump’s return to the White Home and his strategy to the battle. Some concern his admiration for Vladimir Putin might weaken US help for Ukraine, whereas others hope his envoy, Keith Kellogg, will push for continued army support.
Why must you purchase our Subscription?
You need to be the neatest within the room.
You need entry to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t need to be misled and misinformed.
Select your subscription package deal
