Ukraine and Russia announce largest prisoner swap since start of war

Ukraine and Russia have announced the largest exchange of prisoners since the start of the war, involving the return of more than 200 soldiers from each side in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Russia and Ukraine have periodically exchanged groups of prisoners during the course of the war, which is now in its 22nd month, but the swaps have become less frequent and the last took place in early August. Ukraine president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said some of the returned soldiers had “fought in Mariupol and Azovstal”, referring to the siege of the Azovstal steel plant during the Ukrainian defence of Mariupol, a southern Ukrainian port city now occupied by Russia Ukraine and Russia announce largest prisoner swap since start of war