Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap... 10 Foreign Prisoners Also Released

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russia released 215 Ukrainian military prisoners of war, and Ukraine released 55 detained Russian criminals, exchanging prisoners between the two sides. Additionally, 10 foreign prisoners from a third country were released through the mediation of Saudi Arabia.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 21st (local time), Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to the President of Ukraine, stated in a press release that "Russia released 215 of our soldiers who were captured during the battle of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine last May, and we released 55 Russian prisoners."

He added, "Among the released prisoners were Denis Prokopenko, commander of the Azov Regiment, and Serhiy Volynskyi, commander of Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade," and "In exchange for the release of Ukrainian prisoners, we released 55 Russian prisoners accused of treason and the pro-Russian political leader Viktor Medvedchuk."

Separately, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Twitter that "10 foreign prisoners detained in Russia were released through the mediation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman." The released prisoners include nationals from the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Croatia, and Morocco, and efforts are underway to repatriate them to their home countries, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The released prisoners include two U.S. nationals, Andy Tai Ngoc Huynh and Alexander Drucke, who were detained while fighting as members of the Ukrainian International Legion. British nationals Sean Pinner and Aiden Aslin, as well as Moroccan Saadoun Brahim, were also reportedly released.

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