Sunday, 11 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > WRAPUP 1-Russia, Ukraine announce major surprise prisoner swap
World

WRAPUP 1-Russia, Ukraine announce major surprise prisoner swap

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
WRAPUP 1-Russia, Ukraine announce major surprise prisoner swap
SHARE

By Valentyn Ogirenko and Aziz El Yaakoubi

KYIV/RIYADH, Sept 21 (Reuters) – Russia and Ukraine carried out an unexpected prisoner swap on Wednesday, the largest since the war began and involving almost 300 people, including 10 foreigners and the commanders who led a prolonged Ukrainian defence of Mariupol earlier this year.

The foreigners released included two Britons and a Moroccan who had been sentenced to death in June after being captured fighting for Ukraine. Also freed were three other Britons, two Americans, a Croatian, and a Swedish national.

The timing and magnitude of the swap came as a surprise, given Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a partial troop mobilisation earlier in the day in an apparent escalation of the conflict that began in February. Pro-Russian separatists had also said last month that the Mariupol commanders would go on trial.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the swap – which involved help from Turkey and Saudi Arabia – had been under preparation for quite a long time and involved intense haggling. Under the terms of the deal, 215 Ukrainians – most of whom were captured after the fall of Mariupol – were released.

In exchange, Ukraine sent back 55 Russians and pro-Moscow Ukrainians and Viktor Medvedchuk, the leader of a banned pro-Russian party who was facing treason charges.

“This is clearly a victory for our country, for our entire society. And the main thing is that 215 families can see their loved ones safe and at home,” Zelenskiy said in a video address.

“We remember all our people and try to save every Ukrainian. This is the meaning of Ukraine, our essence, this is what distinguishes us from the enemy.”

Zelenskiy thanked Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for his help and said five senior Ukrainian commanders would remain in Turkey until the end of the war.

Kyiv had a long and difficult fight to secure the release of the five, he said.

They include Lieutenant Colonel Denys Prokopenko, commander of the Azov battalion that did much of the fighting, and his deputy, Svyatoslav Palamar. Also freed was Serhiy Volynsky, the commander of the 36th Marine Brigade.

The three men had helped lead a dogged weeks-long resistance from the bunkers and tunnels below Mariupol’s giant steel works before they and hundreds of Azov fighters surrendered in May to Russian-backed forces.

“We’re proud of what you’ve done for our nation, proud of each and every one of you,” Zelenskiy said in a video call with the five which was released by his office.

There was no immediate comment from Moscow about the deal and why it had freed men who Russian-backed separatists said would go on trial later this year.

Saudi Arabia brokered an arrangement whereby the 10 foreigners were flown to Saudi Arabia. The mediation involved Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has maintained close ties with Putin.

The freed prisoners included U.S. citizens Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, both from Alabama, who were captured in June while fighting in eastern Ukraine.

Also freed were Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun, who were all sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

Large numbers of foreigners have travelled to Ukraine to fight since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion.

The head of the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said earlier this month that Russia was not allowing access to prisoners of war, adding that the U.N. had evidence that some had been subjected to torture and ill-treatment that could amount to war crimes.

Russia denies torture or other forms of maltreatment of POWs.

(Reporting by Valentyn Ogirenko in Kyiv, Aziz El Yaakoubi in Riyadh and David Ljunggren in Ottawa Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Trudeau: Russia ‘failing and flailing’ in Ukraine war Trudeau: Russia ‘failing and flailing’ in Ukraine war
Next Article Defense & National Security — Russia ups the ante in Ukraine war Defense & National Security — Russia ups the ante in Ukraine war

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Putin will respond with threats of chemical, nuclear weapons to increased Western support for Ukraine believes

Moscow, RussiaRead also: Putin threatens West with ‘lightning-fast’ retaliatory strikes in the event of interference…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Ought to You Begin a Weblog in 2025? – Goats On The Street

This isn’t an article I needed to write down… however right here it goes. Running…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

UN Latest: Zelenskiy Urges Leaders to Keep Up Pressure on Moscow

(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a video address to the United Nations General…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Oura Ring 3 Review: A Missed Opportunity for Wearable Tech

Chris Becherer, Oura Health’s head of product, told me that the company was aware of…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Ukraine prepared to satisfy Russia however provided that ceasefire agreed, says Zelenskyy
World

Ukraine prepared to satisfy Russia however provided that ceasefire agreed, says Zelenskyy

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Ukraine prepared to satisfy Russia however provided that ceasefire agreed, says Zelenskyy
World

Ukraine warfare dwell: Zelenskyy welcomes Putin requires talks however says Russia should conform to ‘full, lasting, reliable’ ceasefire

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
After Blair’s bombshell, will Labour stick to or abandon internet zero?
World

After Blair’s bombshell, will Labour stick to or abandon internet zero?

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Australia information reside: Jacinta Nampijinpa Worth confirms she is going to run for Liberal deputy, days after defecting from Nationals
World

Australia information reside: Jacinta Nampijinpa Worth confirms she is going to run for Liberal deputy, days after defecting from Nationals

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?