Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Russia, Ukraine swap 175 prisoners of war

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 Mar 2025 21:16
3 Min Read

As the prisoner exchange takes place, ceasefire negotiations are set to resume on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    In this photo taken from video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, a group of Russian soldiers sit in a bus after being released in a prisoners swap between Russia and Ukraine, at an unspecified location in Belarus (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 175 prisoners of war (POWs) each on March 19, 2025, as part of a negotiated swap that also included Russia transferring 22 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers, described as a "gesture of goodwill."

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the swap was conducted following negotiations: "On March 19, 2025, as a result of negotiations, 175 Russian service people were returned from Kiev-controlled territory. In return, 175 Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over, as well as, as a gesture of goodwill, 22 severely wounded prisoners of war in need of urgent medical care."

The released Russian soldiers were transported to Belarus, where they are undergoing medical and psychological care before being transferred to Russia for further rehabilitation.

‼️🇷🇺🪖🇺🇦 #Russia and #Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange in the 175 to 175 format.

In addition, as a gesture of goodwill, Moscow handed over 22 seriously wounded prisoners of war who require urgent medical care.

Russian military personnel are in Belarus and will be… pic.twitter.com/kkZzN0PKL7

— Maimunka News (@MaimunkaNews) March 19, 2025

Ceasefire Negotiations

The prisoner exchange took place just a day after Russia and the United States brokered a 30-day "infrastructure ceasefire" in Ukraine, aimed at halting strikes on energy and critical infrastructure.

While Ukraine accepted the US-proposed truce, Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a broader ceasefire, citing concerns that Kiev could use the pause to reinforce its military capabilities.

Related News

Al Mayadeen obtains draft barring attacks on IAEA-monitored facilities

Oil prices rise on Russia supply fears and Fed policy outlook

As negotiations continue, discussions are underway regarding a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and a potential settlement involving the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a key role in facilitating the latest POW exchange, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The UAE has previously acted as a diplomatic mediator between Moscow and Kiev, focusing on humanitarian negotiations.

Talks Set for Jeddah 

As the prisoner exchange takes place, ceasefire negotiations are set to resume on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.

The US delegation will further be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

The talks will focus on expanding the ceasefire to include Black Sea security and energy facilities.
Witkoff expressed optimism, stating: "The movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace."

However, Ukraine has accused Russia of violating the infrastructure ceasefire, citing continued strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed to the pause.

Read more: Zelensky supports US-Russia ceasefire, seeks clarity on peace talks

While the release of wounded POWs signals a humanitarian aspect to the negotiations, the larger war remains unresolved.

The conflict, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions, continues to be the most significant military confrontation in Europe since World War II.

  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Prisoner Exchange
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS