 "A man stands as a Ukrainian fireman finishes to put out a fire at the \"Barabashovo\" market following a drone strike in Kharkiv on May 6, 2025 amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Image- AFP")
Russia and Ukraine swapped 205 prisoners of war each in an exchange mediated by the United Arab Emirates, both sides said on Tuesday.
”Today, Ukraine has brought back 205 warriors,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram app, thanking the UAE for their help.
Russia’s human rights ombudsman Tatiana Moskalkova thanked Russia’s defence ministry and other agencies involved.
”For many families, today has become a celebration of reunification – anxiety and uncertainty have given way to the joy of a loved one returning home,” she said.
Ukraine’s prisoners of war affairs organisation said the returned prisoners consisted of 202 enlisted men and three officers from various parts of the military and national guard.
It said today’s swap was the fifth this year and the 64th of the entire war, which has run for more than 38 months.
Meanwhile, a barrage of Ukrainian drones forced Russian airports, including in Moscow, to restrict flights on Tuesday, three days before the Kremlin holds its grand military parade on Red Square to mark victory over Nazi Germany.
Hours later, the Kremlin said it still planned to stick to a three-day truce it proposed starting Thursday – which Ukraine has said is “just for the parade” on May 9.
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View AllKyiv has denounced the proposal as “theatrical” and a “manipulation” – instead demanding a longer, immediate ceasefire as a step towards ending three years of conflict, which began with the launch of Russia’s full-scale offensive in 2022.
“President (Vladimir) Putin’s initiative for a temporary ceasefire during the holidays is relevant,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday.
But he added that “an adequate response will be given immediately” if Ukraine does not also halt fire.
Speculation has swirled over the safety of Moscow’s May 9 parade – which Russia has vowed will be its grandest ever, to mark 80 years since the end of World War II.
It will take place in the shadow of the conflict and as the United States pushes for both sides to end the fighting, so far to no avail.
Around 20 leaders are expected to attend the Red Square parade – including China’s Xi Jinping, due to arrive Wednesday.