Ukraine Secures Release of 49 in Prisoner Swap With Russia

Ukraine has successfully negotiated the release of 49 people from Russian captivity in a recent prisoner exchange. The swap, mediated by the UAE, marks the 56th such exchange since Russia's 2022 invasion. Released Ukrainians included civilians and military personnel. Ukraine's efforts aim to free all captured individuals.

Ukraine has successfully negotiated the release of 49 individuals from Russian captivity in the latest prisoner exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Friday.

The exchange, facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, marks the 56th swap since Russia's 2022 invasion, according to a spokesperson for Ukraine's military intelligence agency. 'Another return of our people - something we always wait for and work tirelessly to achieve... We must bring home every single one of our people, both military and civilian,' Zelenskiy stated on X.

Andriy Yermak, Zelenskiy's chief of staff, confirmed on Telegram that the released Ukrainians include seven civilians, as well as personnel from the armed forces, national guard, police, and the border guard service. Ukraine has not disclosed the number of Russians released, and Moscow has yet to comment.

Video footage from an undisclosed location shows liberated service personnel being greeted with flowers, hugs, and leaflets that read: 'Thank you for enduring it all.' One emotional prisoner held the leaflet to his heart and wept. Ukraine claims that the second swap since its cross-border incursion into Russia's Kursk region in early August adds to its goal of securing the return of captured Ukrainians.

Yermak noted that some released Ukrainians had participated in the defense of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant, which is now under Russian control following intense conflict. Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that Ukraine has now secured the return of 3,569 individuals from Russian captivity since the invasion began.

(With inputs from agencies.)