Russian-backed forces release foreign nationals in prisoner swap – BBC News

Ten foreign nationals held by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine have been released, it has been announced.

Saudi Arabia said it had brokered an exchange between Russia and Ukraine of 10 detainees, including five Britons.

The news ended "months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their families", UK Prime Minister Liz Truss said.

#BBCNews

[WarrenEdwardesTangoDJ]

Isn't there a UK law against UK nationals (outside military service) fighting foreign wars?

[mrt]

It's not a 'gift' or a 'release', its a swap for Medvedchuk and 55 others...

[galdossari]

Saudi Arabia will make the world great again 🥰💚

[commonsense]

Well let's see the British government prosecute these guys for fighting abroad like they prosecuted for fighting for Syria.

[marinafedoruk]

Saudi Arabia thank you so much from 🇺🇦 🙏

[tadmalenczak]

Should thank Russia for giving you another life

[lilililililMlililililil]

Thank you, MBS, you are a great leader

[stephenlee]

Thank god for something good to happen and to all the personel who helped to make this happen.

[GG-hudn]

They had no business being there in the first place?!

[stevenfay]

Why is LIZ TRUSS thanking Zelensky, it had nothing at all to do with him.

[susanwestern]

Thank you Volodymyr Zolkin and Dimitry for helping in the release of these POWs. Their hard work has paid off.

[havoc__]

By law they should be arrest on return

[robertrobson]

The UK has 8 Xbox gamers returned and Russia gets 300 soldiers. Sounds about right.

[kalvheps]

Any party that had a hand in this release then thank you ❤.

[TheRnegadeMaster]

They should have received the death penalty after what they did. They provoked and killed civilians.

[lounge]

It may not be a gift as James said, it may be a sign of clear thinking and actual reconsideration of a role of a foreign personnel participating in this war.

[robmule]

It's called a prisoner swap BBC 🤦

[bennock]

I thought they went there of their own will to fight? so knew the risk of being killed or taken prisoner?

[nancyjackson]

Goes to fight in another country while are own country is under attack from within

[BIBIWCICC]

I hope they will be charge upon arrival in the UK. We are signatories to the UN International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries