Russia and Ukraine have swapped over 300 prisoners of war in a deal brokered by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ahead of New Year’s Eve, officials from both sides announced on Monday.

The exchange, one of the few areas of cooperation between the two nations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, saw both sides release hundreds of captive soldiers.

“On December 30, as a result of the negotiation process, 150 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kyiv regime. In return, 150 Ukrainian soldiers were handed over,” the Russian Defence Ministry said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv had received 189 individuals as part of the exchange, including soldiers, border guards, and two civilians from the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol.

“We are working to free everyone from Russian captivity. This is our goal. We do not forget anyone,” Zelensky said in a statement.

Ukraine also reported that Moscow has released a total of 3,956 individuals—both soldiers and civilians—since the war began.

Both countries acknowledged the UAE’s role in facilitating the latest exchange.

A video shared by Russia’s human rights commissioner, Tatyana Moskalkova, showed soldiers in winter gear and military fatigues gathered outside buses. Moskalkova expressed gratitude to the soldiers for their service, patience, and courage, wishing them a happy New Year and promising that they would soon reunite with their families.

“Very soon, our guys will embrace their relatives and friends and celebrate the New Year in their native land,” she wrote in a Telegram message accompanying the video.

Zelensky also posted photos showing some of the exchanged Ukrainian prisoners sitting on a coach, holding up yellow-and-blue Ukrainian flags.

New Year’s Eve is a significant celebration in both Russia and Ukraine, adding a sense of emotional significance to the timing of the exchange.