Russia and Ukraine Exchange 150 Prisoners of War

Russia and Ukraine have conducted another prisoner exchange, each side releasing 150 detainees. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) acted as a mediator in this process, according to a statement from the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel.

According to the statement, on February 5, as a result of negotiations, 150 Russian servicemen were returned from Kyiv-controlled territory, while 150 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over in exchange.

The released Russian soldiers are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance, as well as the opportunity to contact their families. They will later be transferred to Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange in his Telegram channel. He specified that among the 150 freed Ukrainian soldiers were marines, air force members, paratroopers, ground troops, national guardsmen, border guards, territorial defense fighters, and one police officer, some of whom had been in captivity for over two years.

A similar exchange of "150 for 150" took place on December 30, 2024, also mediated by the UAE.

On January 13, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the exchange process was difficult but would continue.