Moscow and Kiev conduct new POW exchange (VIDEO)

Moscow has exchanged 95 Ukrainian prisoners of war for an equal number of Russian POWs, the Defense Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The troops have been airlifted to the Russian capital for medical treatment and rehabilitation, the statement said.

The ministry stated that the lives of the Russian soldiers in Ukrainian custody were under threat and expressed appreciation to the United Arab Emirates, which mediated the swap.

The military also released footage showing the returning Russian soldiers.

The imminent prisoner exchange was reported earlier in the day by Bloomberg. The news agency’s source claimed that 90 people would be released by each side.

Around 1,400 POWs have been freed by Russia and Ukraine over a total of six UAE-facilitated swaps this year, according to Bloomberg’s count.

The regular exchanges were disrupted in January, when a Russian transport plane carrying Ukrainian POWs was shot down over Belgorod Region. Moscow accused Ukraine of firing two Patriot missiles at the aircraft, killing everyone aboard the Ilyushin Il-76, including 65 Ukrainian troops, three Russian guards, and six crew members.

In early June, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that his nation was holding 6,465 Ukrainian POWs, while 1,348 Russians were in Kiev’s custody.