Official announcements from UAE government, Russian or Ukrainian government, or credible international news agencies

Russia and Ukraine Exchange 300 Prisoners in UAE-Mediated Swap

Dec 30, 2024, 03:00 PM

On December 30, 2024, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, with each side releasing prisoners of war in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates ahead of New Year's Eve. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 150 prisoners from each side were exchanged. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 189 Ukrainians, including military personnel and two civilians, were returned from Russian captivity. The released Ukrainian prisoners include defenders of Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and Zmiinyi (Snake) Island. This exchange marks one of the largest prisoner swaps between the two countries since the conflict began.