350 Soldiers Released in Latest Russia-Ukraine Prisoner Swap

RUSSIA – The latest Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap on Saturday April 11, set free 350 soldiers, 175 from each side, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

“On April 11, 175 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In exchange, 175 prisoners of war from the Armed Forces of Ukraine were handed over,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

It added that seven Russian civilians captured by Ukraine during its incursion of the Kursk region were also returned and would be brought home.

“Currently, the Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving necessary psychological and medical assistance,” the statement said.

According to the ministry, the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation efforts in the return of the Russian servicemen from captivity.

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange on Telegram. “175 servicemen. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, National Guardsmen, border guards. Privates, sergeants, and officers. And seven civilians,” he said.

Earlier, both sides said the exchange was scheduled on Orthodox Easter.

Catholic and Protestant Christians celebrated Easter on April 5, while Orthodox Christians in Russia and Ukraine will celebrate Easter a week later on April 12, due to calendar differences.

The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar for calculations, whereas Western churches use the Gregorian calendar, which frequently causes Orthodox Christmas and Easter to fall later.