Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 prisoners of war each in what multiple outlets describe as the first phase of a larger, planned 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange. Coverage says the swap takes place after negotiations and is mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is cited as saying that both sides release 205 detainees, with additional exchanges expected to follow in the coming period. The reported figure—205 prisoners from each side—appears consistently across the different sources. Some outlets characterize the deal as a major step in a phased process, rather than a one-off exchange. The broader plan outlined in reporting calls for each side to release up to 1,000 prisoners, with the initial 205-person exchange serving as the first stage. The reports do not provide further details in the excerpts provided on the identities of the released prisoners or the locations of transfer, but they agree on the number exchanged, the phased nature of the process, and the UAE’s role in mediation.