Hundreds of soldiers freed in fresh prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine

A Russian soldier speaks on a phone as he and others sit in a bus after being released in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of war in the latest such agreement that saw the release of hundreds of captives and was brokered with the help of the United Arab Emirates, officials said.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said 189 Ukrainian prisoners, including military personnel, border guards and national guards — along with two civilians — were freed. He thanked the UAE for helping negotiate the exchange.