Russia and Ukraine swap over 400 prisoners

Ukraine described the exchange as its largest since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly two years ago. Ukraine and Russia have traded thousands of prisoners of war since the invasion, but have not initiated an exchange since August. The United Arab Emirates mediated the deal, Russian state media said.

Who are the prisoners? Ukraine received back 230 people, including several civilians, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, 248 Russian soldiers were released, according to Russian state-run media Tass. Included among the military personnel were six Ukrainian soldiers captured at Snake Island at the beginning of Russia’s invasion. Snake Island was one of the first pieces of Ukrainian soil to fall and became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

Dig deeper: Read William Fleeson’s report about Ukrainian soft diplomacy in WORLD Magazine.