A deal brokered by KSA and Turkey saw the release of 215 Ukrainian prisoners, including 124 officers, by Russia and 55 Russians, including pro-Russia Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk, an oligarch with close ties to Putin, who were released by Ukraine. Saudi’s Mohammed Bin Salman claimed credit for the release of 10 “foreign fighters” from five different countries, the US and UK among them.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy thanked Turkey and KSA for their mediation saying:
“This is clearly a victory for our country, for our entire society, the main thing is that 215 families can see their loved ones safe and at home.”
The foreign nationals released include two Americans, five Brits, one Swede, one Croatian and a Moroccan who were transferred from Russia to Riyadh from where they will be sent back to their countries of origin. Among those freed were Brahim Saadoun, and Aiden Aslin, the pair were previously sentenced to death. The Biden administration has thanked Turkey and KSA for their help in the release of their citizens.
