Overview

• Ukraine secured the return of 205 soldiers, including defenders of Mariupol, from Russian captivity in the latest prisoner-of-war exchange.
• Russia also received 205 of its soldiers in the swap, which was mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
• President Zelensky emphasized the importance of these exchanges, pledging continued efforts to bring all Ukrainian captives home.
• This marks the latest in a series of POW swaps, with over 4,500 Ukrainians repatriated since the war began in 2022.
• The exchange precedes a planned ceasefire by Russia from May 8 to May 10 for its Victory Day commemorations.