Russia, Ukraine extradite 90 PoW

KABUL (Pajhwok): Russian and Ukrainian officials have announced an exchange of 90 prisoners of war each, the biggest swap between the two warring sides in almost five months, according to a media report on Wednesday.

Dozens of Russian soldiers who were released as part of a recent prisoner exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates mediated the deal arrived in Moscow on Wednesday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said.

A video released by the Russian military showed the uniformed soldiers disembarking from an Il-76 airlifter in Moscow and boarding two coach buses.

“[The exchange] was unexpected. While in captivity, we were wondering how we’d be met at home,” one of the soldiers said in the video. “Everyone who met us was smiling and happy, it was very pleasant.”

In its announcement of the swap, Moscow claimed that the soldiers faced “mortal danger in captivity” and would undergo treatment and rehabilitation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, said Kyiv would “continue to work for the release of each and every one” of its soldiers captured by Russian forces.

Moscow and Kyiv have carried out over 50 prisoner exchanges since Moscow invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, despite ongoing hostilities and both sides accusing each other of derailing talks.

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