Ukraine's intelligence chief acknowledges UAE's role in prisoner exchange
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The United Arab Emirates facilitated the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, which took place on January 3, according to the head of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov.
He reminds that today 230 Ukrainian defenders returned home. Among them are a combat medic, defenders from Snake Island, from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, who were captured in the early days of the war, from Azovstal, border guards, police officers, National Guard, and Armed Forces. Essentially, it encompasses all categories.
"This exchange was prepared for quite some time. The United Arab Emirates, let's put it this way, were also directly involved in organizing this process, and with their help, together, we were able to do it," Budanov says.
Prisoner exchange
Today, January 3, the largest exchange of prisoners since the full-scale invasion took place between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine managed to return 230 defenders home.
This exchange of prisoners took place after a long pause. Russia had been blocking the process for a long time.
This is the 49th exchange of prisoners since the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine and the first in 2024. So far, Ukraine has managed to return home 2,828 defenders.
Ukrainian officials have already released a series of photos and videos with the returning defenders.
Urgent and important updates about the war in Russia."
