Ukraine and Russia have swapped 84 prisoners from each side in a deal enabled by the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday.
The total number of prisoners exchanged by the two nations, brokered by the UAE, is now 4,349, released in 16 exchanges.
The move was welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted a statement on X.
"We are bringing Ukrainians back home to Ukraine. A new exchange, 84 people, both military personnel and civilians. Almost all of them require medical care and significant rehabilitation," he wrote.
He said those being released included Ukrainians being held by Russia since 2014. The "defenders of Mariupol" were among those being released in the exchange on Thursday, he added.
"I thank the UAE for its assistance in this exchange. And above all, I thank our warriors who replenish Ukraine’s 'exchange fund' every week on the front line," wrote Mr Zelenskyy.
"The bravery and effectiveness of our units on the front line make it possible, among other things, to bring our people back home. There will be more exchanges."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its thanks to Ukraine and Russia for the success of the UAE's mediation efforts, state news agency Wam reported.
"With the success of this mediation, the total number of Emirati mediations during the crisis has reached 16, confirming the strength and excellence of the UAE's relations with both the Russian Federation and Ukraine," Wam said.
The ministry affirmed the UAE would continue to ensure the success of various efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine and mitigating the humanitarian impact of the war.
President Sheikh Mohamed made an official visit to Moscow last week, where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During their meeting, Sheikh Mohamed thanked Mr Putin for facilitating the UAE's mediation concerning the prisoner exchanges, while Mr Putin thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the UAE’s prisoner swap efforts.
Mr Putin is due to meet US President Donald Trump at an airbase in Alaska on Friday for a summit, which the Kremlin said would focus on "the resolution of the Ukraine crisis".
It will be the first time the Russian leader has been permitted on western soil since his country's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Tens of thousands of people have been killed since.
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Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Famous left-handers
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
South and West: From a Notebook
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Fourth Estate
The specs: 2018 Jaguar F-Type Convertible
Price, base / as tested: Dh283,080 / Dh318,465
Engine: 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 295hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.2L / 100km
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It
Director: Andres Muschietti
Starring: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Sophia Lillis, Chosen Jacobs, Jeremy Ray Taylor
Three stars
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
'My Son'
Director: Christian Carion
Starring: James McAvoy, Claire Foy, Tom Cullen, Gary Lewis
Rating: 2/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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