Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners again due to mediation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the international media report.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that 206 war prisoners were exchanged between the two countries.
Russia released 103 Ukrainian prisoners, while Ukraine released an equal number of 103 Russian prisoners.
According to the reports, those released had been captured during the fighting in Ukraine’s Kursk region.
The Emirati news agency stated that this is the eighth time such an exchange has occurred with UAE mediation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. presidential office, the White House, has made it clear that Ukraine remains prohibited from using American missiles capable of striking deep into Russia’s interior.
U.S. National Security spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. policy on this matter has not changed, nor do they expect it to change in the near future.
In response to the U.S. clarification, the Russian presidential spokesperson commented that President Putin’s message about warning of the consequences has reached the appropriate quarters.
It should be noted that Russian President Putin had earlier stated that NATO countries are not only discussing the possibility of allowing the Ukrainian military to use missiles that can strike inside Russia but are also considering their own involvement in the conflict.
President Putin remarked that the Ukrainian military lacks the capacity to use long-range missiles; it would not be possible without NATO’s participation, as only NATO forces can integrate flight missions into missile systems.
He added that long-range missile systems require satellite intelligence, which Ukraine does not possess. If the Ukrainian military is allowed to use such missiles, it would mean that the U.S. and Europe are directly involved in the war, and Russia would make its decisions based on the threats it faces.