Dubai, Oct 20 (V7N)- In a significant diplomatic effort, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) successfully mediated a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine late Friday night, resulting in the release of 190 prisoners. Both countries exchanged 95 prisoners each, according to a report by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that its soldiers returned to Belarus, where they underwent medical checkups following their release. A video shared by Russian military officials showed soldiers smiling and boarding buses as they prepared for their journey home.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the exchange as a reflection of the "cooperation and friendly relations between the Emirates and Russia-Ukraine," underscoring the country's role as a neutral mediator in the ongoing conflict. This marks the ninth prisoner exchange facilitated between Moscow and Kyiv since the onset of the war.

Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, stated that this was the 58th exchange of prisoners since the war began in February 2022. The ongoing efforts to facilitate these exchanges highlight the importance of international diplomacy and mediation in the face of prolonged conflict.

The release of prisoners comes as a rare moment of cooperation between the two warring nations, offering a glimmer of hope for further humanitarian negotiations.

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