Prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine mediated by the Gulf

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that it had recovered 95 Russian soldiers from Ukrainian captivity, as a result of a prisoner exchange mediated by the UAE.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement: "As a result of a negotiation process, 95 Russian soldiers, who were in captivity in mortal danger, were returned from the territories controlled by the Kiev regime."

The statement added that "in return, 95 prisoners of war were transferred to the Ukrainian Armed Forces."

The statement stated that the released soldiers will be transported by Russian military transport aircraft to Moscow to receive treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions affiliated with the Russian Defense Ministry, adding that all those released are currently receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance.

The statement indicated that the UAE provided "humanitarian mediation" to secure the return of the Russian soldiers from captivity.

On June 25, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the release of 90 Russian soldiers who were being held in Ukraine, in exchange for the transfer of 90 Ukrainian prisoners of war to Kiev, also mediated by the Gulf.