13% of the prisoners of war returned to Russia from Ukraine in today's exchange were from Chechnya

One of the results of the negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States in Abu Dhabi was an agreement on the first prisoner of war exchange in four months, based on a 157-for-157 formula. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this yesterday, and US Special Presidential Envoy Steven Witkoff confirmed the information today.

"This result is the result of peace negotiations that were thorough and productive. While much work remains, such steps demonstrate that ongoing diplomatic engagement is bearing tangible fruit and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Further progress is expected in the coming weeks," Witkoff wrote on social media.

According to Irina Krynina, a representative of the public movement "Our Way Out," 157 people from each side will return to their homeland as part of today's exchange. In an interview with the Dozhd TV channel, she said that three-quarters of the total number of Russian military personnel exchanged were those who signed contracts while in prison or under investigation.

"This is a very high-risk category of prisoners of war. I explained to them all the risks, that they would be sent back to war, and gave them recommendations. I hope they heard me and will take advantage of this opportunity, and will do everything possible to stay home," Krynina shared.

According to her, 13% of the prisoners of war returned to Russia today are from the Chechen Republic. The organization's representative emphasized that this is a record figure in the history of prisoner exchanges between the two sides.

Последние новости
Russian Court Hands Down In Absentia Sentence to Georgian Citizen Who Fought for Ukraine
Politics
Russian Court Hands Down In Absentia Sentence to Georgian Citizen Who Fought for Ukraine
30 July 2026

The so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) has sentenced Georgian citizen Kakhaber Amiranashvili to 13 years and six months in prison *in absentia*. Russian media reported the news, citing the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

Death of Climber from Vladimir Under Investigation in Karachay-Cherkessia
Society
Death of Climber from Vladimir Under Investigation in Karachay-Cherkessia
30 July 2026

The Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor's Office of Karachay-Cherkessia have launched parallel inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of a climber from Vladimir in the Daut Gorge. The man fell near the MIFI Peak; investigators are currently establishing the details of the incident.

Pashinyan Warns of the “Beginning of the End” for the EAEU
Politics
Pashinyan Warns of the “Beginning of the End” for the EAEU
29 July 2026

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has warned that Russia’s restrictions on Armenian exports are calling into question the future of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), saying the dispute could mark “the beginning of the end” for the Moscow-led bloc if it is not resolved soon.

Nauru becomes the third country to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Politics
Nauru becomes the third country to withdraw recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia
29 July 2026

The Pacific island nation of Nauru has severed diplomatic relations with the self-proclaimed entities of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, effectively revoking its earlier recognition of their "independence." The Georgian Foreign Ministry announced the move.