Ukraine’s surprise offensive in the Kursk region, launched on August 6, caught Moscow off guard. Because of that it lead to the capture of hundreds of Russian soldiers, according to Hotnews.
One of the Largest Swaps
Reports indicate that many of the captured Russians were recruits or border guards with limited military experience.
Now a lot of those have ben returned back to their homes as Russia and Ukraine have conducted a prisoner exchange involving 230 soldiers from both sides.
The exchange, announced on Saturday, marks one of the largest swaps in the conflict and includes Russian recruits captured during Ukraine's recent offensive in the Kursk border region.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, 115 Russian soldiers captured in the Kursk region were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Mediated by United Arab Emirates
In return, Ukraine secured the release of 115 of its own soldiers, including members of the National Guard, Armed Forces, Navy, and Border Guard Service. These Ukrainian defenders are now back home, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The exchange, like many previous ones, was mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE, recognized as a "trusted mediator," continues to support diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its commitment to pursuing initiatives aimed at finding a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that de-escalation is the only path to ending the conflict.
This exchange is the latest in a series of prisoner swaps that have taken place since the conflict began in 2022
