Russia and Ukraine each exchanged 103 prisoners of war in the latest humanitarian swap between the two countries, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) once again acting as mediator.

Russia's Defense Ministry said 103 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory, while 103 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over to Kyiv as part of the exchange.

The ministry said the released Russian soldiers were transferred to Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transported to military medical facilities in Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of 103 Ukrainian service members, saying those released included personnel from the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, Navy and Territorial Defense Forces. Ukrainian officials said many of the freed soldiers had sustained injuries or suffered serious health problems during captivity.

The exchange was the first prisoner swap between the two sides since June and one of the few areas where humanitarian cooperation has continued despite the ongoing war. Ukrainian military intelligence indicated that another exchange could take place before the end of the month.

The United Arab Emirates has played a central mediating role in a series of prisoner exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv since the start of the war, facilitating the return of hundreds of captured servicemen from both sides.(ILKHA)