Russia and Ukraine swap over 300 prisoners ahead of the new year

Russia and Ukraine on Monday announced that they have swapped more than 300 prisoners as the second year of its war winds down.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine has secured the return of 189 prisoners, which include some border guards and civilians, while Russian officials said 150 of their prisoners will return home soon. 

The prisoner swap was coordinated by the United Arab Emirates, and is the largest prisoner exchange in recent months, according to The Hill.

“The return of our people from Russian captivity is always very good news for all of us,"  Zelensky wrote in a post on X. "Today is one of those days – our team has managed to bring 189 Ukrainians back home ... Everyone has family and friends waiting for them at home, and it is a great joy that we have been able to bring them back. Today, 189 more families are celebrating.

"We continue working to free every single person from Russian captivity. This is our goal, and we will not forget anyone," he added.

Tatyana Moskalkova, the Russian commissioner for human rights, also celebrated the move, stating, "very soon our guys will hug their families and friends and celebrate the New Year on their native land.”

The move comes the same day that President Joe Biden announced another major security package for Ukraine. The package, worth $2.5 billion, includes funds for a drawdown package for the Ukrainian military and a Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package.

"Since Russia launched its further assault against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has rallied the world to stand with the Ukrainian people, and it has been a top priority of mine to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail," Biden said in a statement.

"Today’s announcement ... builds on this effort and will provide Ukraine with both an immediate influx of capabilities that it continues to use to great effect on the battlefield and longer-term supplies of air defense, artillery, and other critical weapons systems."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.