5 British nationals released in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

LONDON

Five British prisoners of war have been released as part of a Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap negotiated by Saudi Arabia, the Middle Eastern country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ten prisoners of war overall had been released, five from Britain, and the other five from Croatia, Morocco, Sweden, and the US, the Saudi statement said.

British Prime Minister Liz Truss tweeted: "Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families."

She also thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Saudi Arabia.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said: "This brings to an end many months of uncertainty and suffering, including the threat of the death penalty, for them and their families, at the hands of Russia.”

One of the released British nationals has been named as Aiden Aslin. The British government has yet to release further details about the others.