Russia and Ukraine swap 540 prisoners in UAE-brokered agreement

Russia and Ukraine have completed a major swap of 540 prisoners following diplomatic intervention by the United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement from the Gulf nation's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Under the terms of the agreement, both sides handed over 270 individuals each. The operation marks the 27th prisoner swap arranged through Emirati facilitation since the conflict began, raising the total count of detainees freed under UAE-sponsored agreements to 8,537.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the arrival of his country's personnel, publishing images of the returning group. Zelenskiy detailed that the repatriated Ukrainians included members of the National Guard—among them fighters from the Azov unit—alongside border guards, navy personnel, ground troops, airborne assault forces, territorial defense members, and personnel from the State Special Transport Service. Nine civilians were also included in the returnees.

Zelenskiy noted that the majority of those released had been held in captivity since 2022. He stated that authorities continue to search for all remaining captives and expressed gratitude to everyone involved in facilitating the swaps.

The UAE foreign ministry expressed appreciation to both Moscow and Kyiv for collaborating with Emirati mediators. The ministry emphasized the country's ongoing dedication to backing humanitarian initiatives, aiding refugees and detainees, and working toward diplomatic pathways to conclude the conflict.

The transfer follows a previous swap mediated between the two warring nations in August, during which 206 individuals were freed. Prisoner exchanges have served as one of the few consistent areas of direct negotiation and agreement between Moscow and Kyiv throughout the ongoing war.