By AGGREY BULUBA
When two sides fight, the cost of conflict is not only felt on the battlefield but also in the hearts of families torn apart by war. As it is often said “One hand cannot clap,” it takes cooperation from both sides to end the suffering. A recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine has brought hope to families who have endured long periods of anguish. This historic swap was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which acted as a mediator, demonstrating that “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
In this exchange, both Russia and Ukraine released hundreds of captives, marking the 59th such event since the invasion began. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, 150 Ukrainian soldiers were swapped for an equal number of Russian troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the safe return of 189 Ukrainians, including defenders from pivotal locations such as Azovstal, Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear plant, and Snake Island. For these families, the return of their loved ones was, as the proverb goes, “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
Outside a hospital in northern Ukraine, relatives braved the harsh winter cold, waiting anxiously to reunite with their loved ones. Among them was Alina, who stood with tears held back and her eyes fixed on the door. “I have so many emotions,” she said, reflecting on the painful wait for her husband, Oleksandr, captured while defending Mariupol in 2022. “I just want to see him.” Her words echoed the feelings of many: “A waiting heart is like a tree with no leaves.”
The Russian Ministry of Defence reported that their released troops are currently in Belarus, receiving medical care and reconnecting with their families. Tatyana Moskalkova, the Russian human rights commissioner, shared a video showing Russian soldiers smiling and gathering before coaches, eager to return home and reunite with their families. “Very soon, our guys will hug their families and friends and celebrate the New Year on their native land,” Moskalkova said, echoing the old proverb, “Home is where the heart is.”
This prisoner swap is one of the largest yet, but the road to peace remains a long one. On the Ukrainian side, the released included soldiers, border guards, and Navy servicemen, many of whom had endured captivity for more than two and a half years. Some returned with grave injuries and illnesses, a reminder that “the price of peace is never too high.”
Despite the progress, many more prisoners remain in Russian-held territory. Ukrainian officials said that negotiations for future exchanges have grown more difficult, especially as Russian forces have gained ground in recent months. It is believed that more than 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers are still held by Russia. But as Zelensky vowed, “We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone.”
Just as the saying goes, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Ukraine continues to push for the release of all their captured soldiers. For now, though, families like Alina’s can breathe a little easier, knowing that hope, like the sunrise, can break through even the darkest of times.
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