ISW notes that Russian and Ukrainian sources reported three prisoner exchanges between November 23 and 25.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has increased the frequency of prisoner-of-war exchanges in an effort to assuage discontent in the news space over previous failures to return Russian prisoners of war.
According to a report by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian and Ukrainian sources reported three prisoner exchanges between November 23 and 25.
So, on November 23-25, three exchanges of prisoners of war took place:
- On November 23, the Russian Federation and Ukraine exchanged 35 Russian prisoners of war for 35 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
- On November 24, 50 Russian prisoners were exchanged for 50 Ukrainians,
- On November 25, nine Russian prisoners for nine Ukrainians.
Experts believe that the frequency of prisoner-of-war exchanges over the past few days is in itself a watershed moment, as the Russian Defense Ministry has been noticeably reticent in conducting such exchanges in recent months and has been criticized for blatantly disrespecting its prisoners of war.
“The increased frequency of prisoner-of-war exchanges is likely, in part, to address the displeasure of Russian bloggers who reported the latest series of exchanges as neutral in tone,” ISW said in a statement.
War in Ukraine: exchange of prisoners
As reported, another exchange of prisoners took place on November 23, during which 35 Ukrainian servicemen and one civilian were freed.
And on November 24, another 50 Ukrainian soldiers were returned from Russian captivity. Among them are 19 defenders of Mariupol.
Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar emphasized that interviews with Ukrainian military personnel released from captivity could harm those who are still being prepared for exchange.
