ABU DHAB, August 19, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates has successfully mediated a new exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, resulting in the release of 103 captives from each side, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Wednesday.
The swap brings the total number of captives freed through UAE-brokered efforts to 7,997 since the conflict began. Officials described the latest exchange as the 26th successful mediation facilitated by the UAE.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) praised both Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation, calling the UAE a “trusted international mediator.” The ministry said the outcome reflects the strong bilateral relations the UAE maintains with both countries and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at a peaceful resolution while easing the humanitarian toll of the war, including the plight of refugees and captives.
The announcement was widely reported by Emirati state media and independent outlets, confirming the equal numbers released on each side and the cumulative total under UAE mediation.
This latest humanitarian gesture continues the UAE’s consistent role as a neutral intermediary in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, focusing on prisoner exchanges as one of the few areas of regular cooperation between the warring parties.
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