On Wednesday, 205 Ukrainian prisoners of war and ten foreigners were released from Russia. According to a Ukrainian official, this is due to an exchange, among others, with a pro-Moscow politician who Ukraine has already arrested months ago. Ukraine is said to have released 55 Russian POWs.
The ten foreign prisoners of war, including two Americans, were released from Russia on Wednesday after the mediation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
The Ukrainian official confirmed to the news agency Reuters that 205 Ukrainian fighters fighting for the port city of Mariupol were also released from Russia.
One of the released men is Ilya Samoilenko. This 28-year-old warrior has become an icon: a man with a large beard, an artificial eye and a hook on his right arm instead of a hand.
Free prisoners thanks to the exchange with ally Putin
According to the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspline the exchange took place near the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine.
The prisoners are said to have been released thanks to an exchange with Ukrainian businessman and politician Viktor Medvedchuk. This is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This pro-Kremlin politician was arrested by the Ukrainian government this spring as he tried to evade house arrest.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously offered Russia to trade him for prisoners.
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