By Desmond Nleya
The UAE has once again proved its diplomatic muscle by facilitating the exchanging of 95 prisoners each between Ukraine and Russia on Wednesday.
The prison swap was the 54th since February 2022 and the sixth this year, coming three weeks after the last exchange.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the Gulf state’s involvement, writing on Telegram that 95 members of its defense forces had “been liberated from Russian captivity.”
The Russian Defence Ministry expressed its gratitude to the U.A.E. for its mediation efforts.
Ukraine officials have said that over 3,4000 people, both civilians and military, have returned from Russian captivity since the start of the conflict.
According to the U.N., most Ukrainian prisoners suffer routine medical neglect, severe and systematic mistreatment, and even torture while in detention.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the freed Russian soldiers will be flown to Moscow for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
