The UAE has successfully mediated a new exchange of war captives between Russia and Ukraine, with 84 captives from each side, totalling 168 individuals.
This brings the total number of captives exchanged through UAE mediation to 4,349.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation, highlighting the importance of the UAE’s role in supporting efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis.
The Ministry noted that this successful exchange, the sixteenth of its kind, underscores the UAE's strong relations with both countries.
It also reaffirmed the UAE’s continued commitment to facilitating peace efforts and addressing the humanitarian impacts of the conflict, particularly concerning refugees and captives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UAE for its assistance in the exchange in a post on social media platform X.
We are bringing Ukrainians back home to Ukraine. A new exchange, 84 people, both military personnel and civilians. Almost all of them require medical care and significant rehabilitation.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 14, 2025
Among the civilians released today are those who had been held by the Russians since 2014,… pic.twitter.com/ITZDetOHIQ
The last prisoner exchange was carried out in May, involving 205 captives from each side.

UAE launches annual award to honour changemakers
UAE becomes second country to approve Lipfendra to treat high cholesterol
Sharjah Police recovers AED 500,000 in stolen goods in under 3 hours
UAE welcomes Gaza agreement for Hamas disarmament
Sheikh Abdullah meets UK Foreign Secretary in London
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan attends GCC joint military drill in Bahrain
UAE President discusses regional developments with Syrian counterpart
UAE strongly condemns renewed Iranian hostile attack on Kuwait
