Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ukraine, Russia Swap 185 Prisoners Each, UAE Mediates

6/6/2026

50 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Ukraine and Russia each exchanged 185 service personnel on June 5, with Russia also returning one civilian.
The oldest Ukrainian released was a 62-year-old serviceman, Kyiv’s general staff said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said most returned Ukrainians had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.
The United Arab Emirates again mediated the exchange, Russian defence ministry reported on Telegram.

History

Historical Context

The 1991 Gulf War ended with a UN-backed cease-fire that saw a 42-nation coalition repatriate Iraqi prisoners, setting a precedent for third-party mediation. In June 2024 the United Arab Emirates brokered a swap of Ukrainian and Russian servicemen, echoing that earlier reliance on neutral intermediaries. Both cases show how international actors have long facilitated detainee releases after conflict.

1 of 2

Story summary

Ukraine and Russia each exchanged 185 service personnel on June 5, with Russia also returning one civilian.
The oldest Ukrainian released was a 62-year-old serviceman, Kyiv’s general staff said.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said most returned Ukrainians had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.
The United Arab Emirates again mediated the exchange, Russian defence ministry reported on Telegram.

1 / 2