Russia-Ukraine Exchange Hundreds of Prisoners of War, President Zelensky: We Must Return Everything

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that he would continue to try to bring home his detained citizens, as Ukraine and Russia carried out one of the largest prisoner exchanges with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the first in the last five months.

The Russian Defense Ministry said 248 military personnel had been handed over by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv said it had repatriated 230 people, an exchange it said was the largest documented so far, as reported by Reuters, December 4.

Meanwhile, the UAE Foreign Ministry acknowledged their role, saying in a statement the exchanges were made possible by "strong friendly relations" with Moscow and Kyiv.

"Today, 213 soldiers and sergeants, 11 officers and 6 civilians returned home. I thank everyone who achieved this result," wrote President Zelensky in X.

"We remember every single one of our people. And we have to give it all back," he continued.

A video released by Ukrainian authorities showed returning prisoners wearing the country's blue and yellow flags getting off buses, singing the national anthem and shouting the patriotic greeting "Glory to Ukraine".

On the other hand, the Russian Ministry of Defense released a similar video of the return of prisoners in uniform who arrived in Belgorod by bus.

"The prisoner exchange has been pending for a long time, but negotiations have not stopped for a second. We are taking advantage of every opportunity, trying every mediation format, and raising this issue at any international meeting that might help," wrote President Zelensky.

President Zelensky said those released included soldiers, sergeants, and officers of the Armed Forces, National Guard, Navy, Border Guard, as well as those who fought in Mariupol and Azovstal.

"We will continue to work to get all our guys back. I thank our entire team, (Kyrylo) Budanov, (Andrii) Yermak, (Vasyl) Malyuk, and Klymenko, who continue to work to ensure the exchange continues," he said.

Meanwhile, Budanov, who serves as head of Ukraine's HUR Military Intelligence agency, highlighted the UAE's "direct role", saying: "After a long period of time, we managed to carry out a very difficult prisoner exchange."

On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry said the freed prisoners would undergo medical examinations and treatment.

Russia's Human Rights Commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, thanked President Vladimir Putin and the military and intelligence services for their efforts in the exchange.