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
Russia urged to prosecute those who ordered Anna Politkovskaya’s murder
Human rights
Russia urged to prosecute those who ordered Anna Politkovskaya’s murder
7 October 2026

On the 20th anniversary of the murder of Novaya Gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya, representatives of 32 countries called on the Russian authorities to identify everyone involved in the crime and end pressure on independent media.

The statement was issued by the Media Freedom Coalition. It was signed by representatives of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Ukraine, Australia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Chile, Japan, Spain and other countries.

Aliyev: Armenia Must Reveal the Fates of Missing Azerbaijanis
Politics
Aliyev: Armenia Must Reveal the Fates of Missing Azerbaijanis
7 October 2026

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev considers determining the fates of missing persons to be one of the state's most important issues. He stated this in an address to participants of the 4th International Conference on Missing Persons, currently taking place in Baku.

20th Anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s Murder: The Person Who Ordered the Crime Remains Unidentified
Human rights
20th Anniversary of Anna Politkovskaya’s Murder: The Person Who Ordered the Crime Remains Unidentified
7 October 2026

October 7 marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of *Novaya Gazeta* journalist Anna Politkovskaya. While the courts have identified the perpetrators and organizers of the crime, the person who ordered the killing has never been named. The statute of limitations for the case expired in 2021—fifteen years after the murder took place.

Saakashvili calls for closing Georgia's border with Russia over plague reports
Politics
Saakashvili calls for closing Georgia's border with Russia over plague reports
7 October 2026

Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has urged the country's authorities to close the border with Russia and ban Russian citizens from entering. He outlined his position on Facebook from custody, commenting on reports regarding the death of an employee at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Institute.