Russia and Ukraine swap 50 POWs each

Fifty Russian servicemen have been returned from Ukrainian captivity, Russia’s Ministry of Defence announces in an official Telegram post.

“A negotiation process resulted in the return from Kiev-controlled territory of 50 Russian servicemen who were in mortal danger while in captivity,” the ministry adds.

Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk “people’s republic” Denis Pushilin clarifies that Ukraine and Russia have swapped 50 servicemen each.

Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andrii Yermak confirms that 50 Ukrainian servicemen have been returned to their homeland. Among them, there are those who were kept in captivity in Olenivka as well as defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal steelworks.

This has been the fourth prisoner swap since 23 November. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) speculates that the frequency of the swaps is connected to the Russian Defence Ministry trying to soothe public discontent.

ISW notes that three equal prisoner swaps were conducted from 23 to 25 November: 35, 50, and 9 prisoners were returned to each side.