Russia and Ukraine Release 190 Prisoners of War in Latest Exchange
Moscow and Kiev announced the release of 190 prisoners of war, bringing the total number of exchanged soldiers to over 50,000 since the conflict began more than two years ago.
Release Details
According to officials, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the release of 95 soldiers each. Zelensky credited the United Arab Emirates for mediating the exchange, stating, "We continue to bring our people back home. Another 95 defenders have been released from Russian captivity."
The Russian Defense Ministry attributed the release to a negotiation process, stating that "as a result of a negotiation process, 95 Russian servicemen (…) returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime."
Background
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia is complex and multifaceted, with historical, political, economic, and cultural factors contributing to the ongoing tensions. The war escalated in February 2022 when Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking a significant escalation of the conflict that began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the war in Donbas.
Impact
The war has resulted in thousands of civilian and military casualties, displaced millions of Ukrainians, and generated a serious humanitarian crisis. The conflict currently appears to be at a standstill, with positions on both sides appearing irreconcilable for the moment.
Sources
With information from AFP.