Prisoner exchange signals tentative thaw in Russia-Ukraine tension

Russia and Ukraine were preparing to exchange 180 prisoners with the assistance of the United Arab Emirates, marking the sixth such exchange facilitated by the Gulf state this year.

Each side intended to release 90 prisoners in the planned exchange scheduled for the morning of July 17, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

This would bring the total number of prisoners exchanged under UAE mediation this year to nearly 1,400.

The UAE has acted as a mediator in multiple agreements, not only between Russia and Ukraine but also between Russia and the US. For instance, the UAE provided logistical support and facilitated the location for a swap involving Moscow's release of WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Russia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a spokesperson for the UAE government declined to provide a comment. In early June, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was holding 6,465 Ukrainian prisoners of war, while Ukrainian authorities reported holding 1,348 Russians.

The exchange indicated a potential easing of tensions between the two sides following an incident in January, where Russian officials claimed a plane shot down in Belgorod region was carrying 65 prisoners intended for exchange. Ukrainian officials contested this assertion, stating that Russia had not presented any evidence to support their claim.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The president said that the goals are “demilitarisation” and “denazification” of the neighbouring country, as well as the protection of the civilian population of Donbas from “genocide by Kyiv authorities”. After the outbreak of hostilities, the Ukrainian authorities introduced martial law throughout the country and launched a general mobilisation. The partial mobilisation was announced in Russia in September 2022.