Video Ukraine and Russia have made the biggest exchange of prisoners during the war / Moscow says that he also made a “gesture of goodwill”
Ukrainian soldiers released in an exchange of prisoners with Russia. Photo: Defense of Ukraine / X
Ukraine and Russia announced on Saturday that they have made the biggest exchange of prisoners in the war, the negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates leading to the release of 277 Ukrainians and 261 Russians.
“Our people are at home-one of the best news that can be received. 277 other fighters have returned home from Russian captivity,” wrote Volodimir Zelenski on his accounts on social networks, where he also posted pictures with the Ukrainians who returned home.
Our People has Home – One of the Best Pieces of News that can be. Another 277 Warriors Have Return Home From Russian Captivity.
The Warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, The National Guard of Ukraine, The State Special Transport Service, and the Border Guards. They Defended … pic.twitter.com/bm4of80o7o
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир зеленський (@zezekyyua) April 19, 2025
“I am very grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their mediation,” said the Ukrainian president, adding that, “since the beginning of the war on a large scale, 4,552 people – both warriors and civilians – have been successfully brought home from Russian prisons.
What the Russian Defense Ministry said
For his part, the Moscow Ministry of Defense said that, on Saturday, “as a result of the negotiation process, 246 Russian soldiers were returned from the Kiev regime controlled,” mentioning that the United Arab Emirates have mediated the negotiations
“Also, as a gesture of goodwill, 31 wounded war prisoners were taught in exchange for 15 injured Russian soldiers who needed urgent medical assistance,” says in a message posted on the Ministry's Telegram account.
According to Moscow, the Russian military issued are now in Belarus, “where they are offered the necessary psychological and medical assistance, as well as the possibility to contact their relatives. All the liberated military will be taken to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation in the medical institutions of the Russian Defense Ministry.”
Ukraine and Russia have carried out large prisoners in March, with 175 prisoners, in November 2024 (190 prisoners) and in September 2024 (206 prisoners)
