International

Prisoner Thaw? Russia, Ukraine Exchange 180

Russia and Ukraine are poised to exchange 180 prisoners in a UAE-brokered deal, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg.

Ukrainian Presidency / A Ukrainian freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia makes a phone call to an undisclosed location in Ukraine on January 31
Sursa: Ukrainian Presidency / A Ukrainian freed in a prisoner exchange with Russia makes a phone call to an undisclosed location in Ukraine on January 31

This marks the sixth such exchange facilitated by the Gulf state this year.

Each side reportedly plans to release 90 prisoners if the agreement goes through as planned on Wednesday morning. This exchange would push the total number of prisoners swapped through UAE mediation in 2024 to nearly 1,400.

The UAE has emerged as a key mediator in prisoner exchanges, not only between Russia and Ukraine, but also between Russia and the US. In a notable instance, the UAE provided logistical support and the venue for the exchange when Moscow released WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has not yet responded to a request for comment, and a government spokesperson declined to comment on behalf of the UAE. Earlier in June, President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia held 6,465 Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Ukrainian authorities maintained they were holding 1,348 Russians.

This prisoner exchange signifies a potential thawing of tensions between the two sides following the downing of a plane in Russia's Belgorod region in January. Russian officials allege the plane was carrying 65 prisoners destined for exchange, a claim disputed by Ukrainian officials who say Russia has not provided any evidence.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Bogdan Nigai

Bogdan Nigai

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