Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each following mediation from the United Arab Emirates, Russia’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The exchange, which Ukraine did not immediately confirm, is the first to have taken place between the two warring countries since June.

Russia’s military said its servicemen who were released on Wednesday are currently in Belarus undergoing medical and mental health evaluations.

Yana Lantratova, Russia’s human rights chief, said she met with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Lubinets during the prisoner swap.

“We exchanged lists of missing persons, discussed documentation matters and agreed on the next humanitarian shipment of care packages,” Lantratova wrote in a post on Telegram.

She also shared photos and videos of her meeting with Lubinets, which took place in Belarus.

Both Russia and Ukraine have released hundreds of prisoners of war since the start of the year through mediation from the United States and the UAE.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

.