On October 18, 2024, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 190 prisoners of war, each side bringing home 95 soldiers.
The exchange, mediated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marks the latest in a series of swaps during the ongoing conflict.
Russian soldiers were taken to Belarus for medical and psychological care, while Ukrainian soldiers returned to their homeland, many of whom had defended critical locations such as Mariupol.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared the news on social media, emphasizing the significance of these exchanges in bringing Ukraine closer to the day when “freedom will be returned” to all held by Russia.
The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters also confirmed that the bodies of soldiers killed near Avdiyivka, Bakhmut, and Zaporizhzhya were exchanged earlier the same day.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now more than two and a half years old, has seen repeated prisoner swaps, often with international mediation.
This latest exchange occurred against the backdrop of escalating tension following reports that North Korea is providing military support to Russia.
According to Seoul’s National Intelligence Service, North Korea recently deployed around 1,500 elite soldiers to Russia’s Far East, marking a notable shift in the international dynamics of the conflict.
Satellite images showed North Korean forces being transported by Russian military vessels to Vladivostok between October 8 and 13.
This development has sparked concern in the West, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemning the move as a sign of Moscow’s “desperation.”
Ukraine, alarmed by North Korea’s involvement, has called for a stronger response from its European and US allies.
Kyiv views North Korea’s participation as a direct threat to Ukraine’s military efforts and an indicator of increased Russian reliance on external military aid.
Amid these developments, President Zelenskiy recently presented his “victory plan” to NATO and the European Union, seeking more weapons and fewer restrictions on long-range missile strikes inside Russia.
However, despite pledges of ongoing support, NATO has not immediately endorsed Zelenskiy’s call for Ukraine’s fast-track invitation to join the alliance.
During his visit to NATO headquarters, Zelenskiy urged that the West’s backing of Ukraine’s NATO membership would deter Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reiterated that Ukraine “will be in NATO” but did not commit to an immediate invitation.
The war in Ukraine has increasingly drawn in global powers, raising the stakes for both sides.
As North Korea’s involvement with Russia becomes more overt, Ukraine looks to solidify its alliances in the West while maintaining pressure on Moscow through military and diplomatic channel
