In a significant development, Ukraine has successfully brought home 84 prisoners of war (POWs) from Russian captivity, including military servicemen and civilians, with some individuals having been imprisoned since 2014. This POW swap, which is seen as a crucial humanitarian gesture, was part of a larger exchange where both sides traded 168 captives. The exchange was brokered by UAE mediation efforts, highlighting ongoing diplomatic engagements amidst the conflict. Notable among the freed individuals is Bohdan Kovalchuk, who was released after enduring nearly nine years in captivity since he was just 17 years old. The swap has elicited emotional responses from families of the released, marking a bittersweet moment in a protracted conflict.