In a significant development amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine and Russia have carried out their first prisoner swap in several months, each releasing at least 157 individuals. This exchange comes on the heels of US-mediated discussions held in Abu Dhabi, which aim to pave the way towards resolving the war.

Historically, prisoner swaps have been one of the few direct interactions between these two nations since the war broke out four years ago. However, tensions flared recently when Ukraine accused Russia of putting a halt to these exchanges last month.

On Thursday, in a gesture of cooperation facilitated by the United States, both countries agreed to the exchange of 157 captured soldiers and civilians from each side. This event marked the first such exchange since October, providing a glimmer of hope for future dialogue.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude and relief over the breakthrough, stating on social media, “Today’s exchange came after a long pause, and it is critical that we were able to make it happen. I thank everyone who works to make these exchanges possible.”

Accompanying his statement were poignant images of the released Ukrainian prisoners. These individuals, with their heads shaved, were captured smiling and draped in Ukrainian flags, standing amidst a gentle snowfall—a symbol of resilience and national pride.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian parliament commissioner for human rights, highlighted that among the 157 Ukrainians freed were seven civilians as well as others who had been “unlawfully convicted” by Russian authorities.

Zelenskyy’s aide Kyrylo Budanov said that in the group of the freed prisoners were 19 Ukrainians “who were illegally sentenced, 15 of them to life imprisonment”.

Russia, who said the United States and United Arab Emirates acted as mediators for the exchange, announced earlier it had handed over 157 Ukrainian soldiers and that 157 Russian servicemen were returned.

“In addition, three Russian citizens, residents of the Kursk region … will be returned home,” the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian forces launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s western Kursk region in 2024.

‘Significant’ work ahead in talks

Despite the prisoner exchange, there were no immediate signs of progress on the thornier issue of territory.

“It is certainly not easy, but Ukraine has been and will remain as constructive as possible,” Zelenskyy said of the talks.

Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said on social media that “the delegations agreed to inform their capitals and continue trilateral talks in the coming weeks”.

US mediator Steve Witkoff conceded that “significant” work still lay ahead.

The negotiations are the latest bid in diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting — Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II, with hundreds of thousands killed, millions forced to flee their homes and much of eastern and southern Ukraine devastated.

As talks were underway, large swathes of the Ukrainian capital were still without heating in sub-zero temperatures, after successive Russian strikes knocked out energy supplies to hundreds of apartment blocks.

The main sticking point in the negotiations is the long-term fate of territory in eastern Ukraine.

Russia is demanding that Ukraine pull its troops out of swathes of the Donbas region, including heavily fortified cities atop vast natural resources, before any deal.

It also wants international recognition that land seized in the invasion belongs to Russia.

Kyiv has said the conflict should be frozen along the current front line and has rejected a pull-back of forces.

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