The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the "recovery of 75 Ukrainian prisoners of war, as a result of negotiations mediated by the United Arab Emirates." The ministry stated in a statement: "On May 31, as a result of a negotiation process, 75 Russian soldiers who were in deadly danger in captivity conditions were recovered from territories controlled by the Kyiv regime," adding that, in return, 75 of its war prisoners were handed over to the Ukrainian side.
The statement noted that "the released Russian soldiers will be transported by military aircraft to Moscow for treatment and rehabilitation in medical facilities belonging to the Russian defense ministry, and that necessary medical and psychological assistance is being provided to all those released." The Russian defense ministry clarified that "the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation" in the process of returning the Russian soldiers from captivity.
The previous prisoner exchange between Kyiv and Moscow took place on February 8, when 100 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian captivity, and in return, Russia transferred the same number of Ukrainian prisoners to Kyiv.
