A prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place, with families of missing Ukrainian soldiers gathering near the border with Belarus, hoping for news about their loved ones. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said the exchange would occur “in several stages” over the coming days, with negotiations continuing virtually every day.
The two sides agreed to exchange sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, those under 25, and the bodies of 12,000 soldiers. Russia’s defense ministry stated that the first group of Russian servicemen under 25 were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory.
Returned Ukrainian prisoners, some held captive since the war’s beginning, received medical and psychological assistance. Petro Yatsenko, of Ukraine’s Coordination HQ for prisoners of war, noted their poor health conditions due to insufficient food and lack of Red Cross visits.
The conflict continues, with Russia launching record drone attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine’s military targeted Russian airfields and an electronics factory, damaging enemy aircraft and suspending production.
Zelensky emphasized the complexity of the exchange process, saying, “The process is quite complicated, there are many sensitive details, negotiations continue virtually every day.”
Russia and Ukraine have been engaging in prisoner swaps mediated by the United Arab Emirates. One notable exchange occurred on July 17, 2024, where each side traded 95 people, totaling 190 prisoners of war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the swap, stating the released Ukrainian servicemen included soldiers, National Guard members, and border guards.
In another significant exchange, nearly 800 people were swapped between Russia and Ukraine in May 2025, marking the largest prisoner swap since the war began. The three-day exchange involved mostly prisoners of war and 120 civilians from each side. On the final day, both sides swapped 303 prisoners, completing the exchange of 1,000 prisoners each.²
The prisoner swaps are a rare moment of cooperation between Russia and Ukraine amidst failed efforts to reach a ceasefire in the ongoing war. Despite these exchanges, no tangible progress has been made towards ending the conflict. The United States and European countries have called for a 30-day ceasefire, but Russia has rejected this proposal.
The exchanges have also raised questions about the treatment of prisoners. A Ukrainian organization involved in exchanges mentioned that 70 Ukrainians swapped by Ukraine had been convicted of crimes like collaborationism, treason, and terrorism, and had expressed a desire to be sent to Russia. The prisoner swaps continue to be a crucial aspect of diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine.