World

Russia and Ukraine exchange 270 prisoners each in first swap since August

Russia and Ukraine on Friday exchanged 270 prisoners each — the first swap in two months — mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy said "270 of our people are home," including National Guard personnel, Azov fighters, border guards, territorial defense, navy and air assault troops. Ukraine's tally includes nine civilians, and five Ukrainians once presumed dead in the 2022 Olenivka prison blast were among those freed.

Russia's Defense Ministry said freed Russian servicemen are in Belarus receiving medical and psychological care; the handover took place at the Novaya Guta crossing. The UAE Foreign Ministry said this was its 27th mediated exchange, bringing the UAE-mediated total to 8,537 captives.

Separately, Zelenskyy said Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. agreed to technical-level talks in the first half of November — the next diplomatic step in the stalled peace process.

Sources: Reuters (Oct 23, 2026); UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oct 23, 2026).

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