Overview

• Russia and Ukraine exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war, marking the first swap since a Russian military plane crash that Moscow claimed was carrying Ukrainian POWs.
• The exchange involved 207 Ukrainians, including soldiers and civilians, and 195 Russian servicemen.
• Tensions had risen following the plane crash, with Russia accusing Ukraine of downing the aircraft, a claim Kyiv has not fully denied but questioned.
• The swap was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates, highlighting ongoing international efforts to mediate between the conflicting parties.
• Despite the recent tensions, both sides have expressed openness to continuing prisoner exchanges, underscoring a rare area of cooperation amidst the ongoing conflict.