Russia, Ukraine exchange 84 war prisoners from each side

MOSCOW

Russia and Ukraine announced another prisoner exchange on Thursday, with 84 servicemen returning from each side.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that the released Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving necessary psychological and medical assistance.

"All Russian servicemen will be transported to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Ministry of Defense of Russia," it said.

The ministry also acknowledged the United Arab Emirates for its "mediation efforts of a humanitarian nature."

In a separate statement, Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation in talks with Ukraine, claimed that out of 1,000 captured Ukrainian soldiers who had appealed to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be included in the exchange list, Ukraine accepted only two individuals—Boychuk Alexander Vyacheslavovich (born October 14, 1976) and Fedorenko Vladimir Viktorovich (born February 16, 1982).

"Probably afraid that they've been completely recruited in Russian captivity," Medinsky joked.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, noting that both military personnel and civilians were part of the swap.

He thanked all those involved in organizing it, including the UAE.

"Thank you, our team—everyone in the Coordination Headquarters, the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), the President’s Office, and the special services working to bring our people home. Thank you to the UAE for assisting in this exchange," he said.

Zelenskyy also stated that there would be more exchanges.