UAE Brokers Release of 386 Prisoners in Russia–Ukraine Exchange

ABU DHABI, Apr 24: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the successful completion of a new mediation effort between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in a prisoner exchange involving a total of 386 individuals, with 193 prisoners released from each side.

In a statement, the ministry said the latest exchange marks another milestone in ongoing UAE-led humanitarian mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions and addressing the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. It noted that with this latest development, the total number of prisoners exchanged through UAE mediation initiatives has reached 6,691 since the beginning of the crisis.

The ministry expressed its appreciation to both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation in facilitating the exchange, stating that their engagement reflects trust in the UAE’s diplomatic role and its continued commitment to supporting peaceful and humanitarian solutions. It added that the success of this operation underscores the effectiveness of sustained diplomatic communication channels maintained by the UAE with both parties.

According to the ministry, this latest exchange is the 22nd mediation operation carried out by the UAE since the start of the conflict, reflecting its ongoing efforts to bridge humanitarian gaps and encourage dialogue between the two sides. The UAE emphasized that these initiatives are rooted in its foreign policy approach of promoting peaceful resolution of disputes and prioritizing humanitarian considerations.

The ministry further reaffirmed that the UAE will continue to support and facilitate initiatives aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Ukraine, while also working to mitigate its humanitarian impact, including issues related to displaced persons, prisoners of war, and affected families.

Officials reiterated that the UAE’s mediation efforts are driven by its strong diplomatic relations with both countries and its commitment to maintaining open channels of communication to support global stability and humanitarian relief efforts.