Russia, Ukraine conduct largest prisoner exchange to date
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The scale and coordination of the exchange suggest a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities, though broader peace efforts remain elusive.
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Аs many as 270 Russian service members, 120 civilians, including Kursk residents captured by Ukrainian troops, return to Russia in prisoner swap (TASS)
Russia and Ukraine on Friday carried out what officials described as a major prisoner exchange, marking one of the most significant humanitarian gestures between the two sides since the war began in 2022. According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, each country repatriated 270 military personnel and 120 civilians, following an agreement reached during negotiations held in Istanbul on May 16.
"On May 23, in accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached on May 16 in Istanbul, 270 Russian servicemen, as well as 120 civilians, including civilians captured by the Ukrainian armed forces in the Kursk region, were returned from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime. In return, 270 prisoners of war of the armed forces of Ukraine and 120 civilians were transferred back," the ministry stated.
JUST IN - First footage of prisoner swap between Russia and US of Griner and Boutpic.twitter.com/ZVu4eoajZ2
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) December 8, 2022
The operation was conducted at the Belarus-Ukraine border and is understood to be part of a broader deal that envisions the exchange of up to 1,000 individuals on each side. Russia has confirmed that the individuals it received are currently in Belarus, where they are undergoing psychological and medical support before being transferred to medical facilities inside Russia for continued rehabilitation.
"Currently, Russian military personnel and civilians are in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance. All Russian military personnel and civilians will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions," the ministry added.
The U.S. and Russia swapped prisoners amid their most tense relations in decades over the war in Ukraine, with former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed released in exchange for Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko https://t.co/kTVit8w1m5 pic.twitter.com/9lbbFOLecb
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 27, 2022
The scale and coordination of the exchange suggest a rare moment of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities, though broader peace efforts remain elusive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed openness to a 30-day ceasefire, but key obstacles persist. Russia has reiterated demands for Ukraine's neutrality, recognition of annexed territories, and demilitarization—conditions Ukraine continues to reject.
Despite these political roadblocks, the successful exchange has raised cautious optimism. Russian officials indicated that further swaps are expected in the coming days, framing this as the beginning of a larger operation that may involve hundreds more detainees.
US President Donald Trump commented on the development via Truth Social, writing, "A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine. This could lead to something big???"
Read more: Kiev strikes Russia's Kursk, injuring 12: Russian governor
This latest exchange is the most extensive since the war's onset. The previous exchange occurred in August 2024, when each side released 115 prisoners of war, totaling 230 individuals.
That operation, mediated by the United Arab Emirates, was the third such swap in a span of seven weeks.
