Ukraine and Russia announce largest prisoner swap since start of war

Both sides release more than 200 troops in first exchange since August after UAE-mediated negotiations

Ukraine and Russia have announced the largest exchange of prisoners since the start of the war, involving the return of more than 200 soldiers from each side in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said on Wednesday in a message on social media, along with images of some of the freed PoWs: “230 of our people. Today, 213 soldiers and sergeants, 11 officers, and 6 civilians returned home.”