The United Arab Emirates has successfully mediated a new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, maintaining a vital humanitarian channel even as the conflict and mutual attacks intensify.
The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the latest mediation on June 26 resulted in the release of 320 captives. This brings the total number of prisoners exchanged through UAE diplomatic efforts to 7,791 across 25 operations.
The ministry attributed the success of the exchange to the cooperation of both Moscow and Kyiv, as well as their shared trust in Abu Dhabi. It reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts aimed at supporting a peaceful resolution and mitigating the humanitarian consequences of the war.
The timing of this exchange is particularly significant, coinciding with a sharp military escalation between the two nations. Ukraine has recently expanded its missile and drone strikes deep into Russian territory, while Moscow has intensified its bombardment of Ukrainian military, logistical, and energy infrastructure.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the completion of the UAE-brokered swap, noting that the freed Russian servicemen were transported to Belarus for initial assistance before returning to Russia for further medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, welcomed the successful operation. He stated that the UAE's mediation efforts help alleviate humanitarian suffering and pave the way for initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis. Bahrain also praised the exchange, describing it as a positive humanitarian step that supports broader de-escalation efforts.
This latest swap is part of a wider diplomatic role played by Abu Dhabi in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Alongside prisoner exchanges, the UAE has hosted talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, positioning itself as one of the few viable communication channels capable of engaging with both sides despite the war's ongoing expansion.
