During yesterday’s (18.03.2025) telephone communication that Donald Trump had with Vladimir Putin, the two leaders agreed so that the Russia and the Ukraine to exchange equal prisoners of war.
Today (19.03.2025) Russia delivered 175 Ukrainian prisoners of war and received 175 Russian war captives from Ukraine, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Also, The Russian side delivered an additional 22 severely injured Ukrainian prisoners in need of urgent medical care in what he described as a gesture of goodwill.
The United Arab Emirates had mediated for this agreementsaid the Russian Ministry of Defense, which also added that Russian soldiers released under the deal are in Belarus and waiting to pass to Russia.
On his side, Volodimir Zelenski said it was one of the largest captives exchangesposting photos of Ukrainian soldiers who returned home.
Today is another day when Ukraine brings its people back. 175 of our defenders have been released from Russian captivity. Another 22 defenders are returning home through measures beyond exchanges. Among them are severely wounded warriors and those whom Russia persecuted for… pic.twitter.com/r8vI7BiYxn
– Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyyua) March 19, 2025
«The soldiers, sergeants and officers, our fighters who fought for our freedom are returning home.. They defended Ukraine on various fronts, Mariupol, Azovstan, Donetsk, Lugansk, Hersona and other areas, ”said the Ukrainian president.
He also added: “I thank our team for its important work in identifying Ukrainian prisoners of war and facilitating exchanges, these are the results that bring hope. We are also grateful to all our partnersespecially in the United Arab Emirates, which made it possible today’s exchange. Ukraine remembers each of our heroes and we will bring all our people at home».