{"id":11528,"date":"2022-09-23T06:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T04:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=11528"},"modified":"2023-04-10T20:22:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T18:22:37","slug":"ukraine-and-russia-exchange-nearly-300-prisoners-in-major-swap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/ukraine-and-russia-exchange-nearly-300-prisoners-in-major-swap\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine and Russia exchange nearly 300 prisoners in major swap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ukraine and Russia have conducted a significant prisoner swap in which nearly 215 fighters and civilians were returned to Ukraine in exchange for freeing 55 Russian soldiers and Putin\u2019s key ally Viktor Medvedchuk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lauded<\/span><\/a> the development as \u201c215 pieces of good news.\u201d He said, \u201cWe are bringing our people home. This is clearly a victory for our state, for our entire society. And most importantly, for 215 families who will be able to see their loved ones in safety.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In return, Ukraine released 55 Russian fighters and Viktor Medvedchuk – a Ukrainian politician who is considered a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is the godfather to Medvedchuk\u2019s daughter. He was captured in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prison swap deal was hammered out with the help of Saudi Arabia and Turkey and involved intense haggling. Experts said that \u201cSaudi Arabia and Turkey seem to have a new era of cooperation\u201d after the deal brokered with the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zelenskyy thanked Turkish President Erdogan for his help. \u201cWe remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Ukrainian<\/a>
Ukrainian soldiers released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, hold the Ukrainian flag close to Chernihiv, Ukraine, late September 21, 2022 (Image Credit: Ukrainian Security Service Press Office)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Those released include prisoners of war from countries including two citizens of the United States, five from the United Kingdom, and one each from Morocco, Sweden, and Croatia. Some of them had been sentenced to death after being captured in Ukraine and accused of being mercenaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British Prime Minister Liz Truss welcome that \u201cfive British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.\u201d Truss thanked Zelenskyyy for his efforts and Saudi Arabia for their assistance in releasing the prisoners, and she added that Russia \u201cmust end the ruthless exploitation of prisoners of war and civilian detainees for political ends.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families.<\/p>\u2014 Liz Truss (@trussliz) September 21, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>