Russia and Ukraine recently completed a prisoner swap, with each country exchanging 193 prisoners. The Russian servicemen, who were held by Kyiv, have been returned and are currently in Belarus receiving medical and psychological assistance. They will soon be transported to Russia for further treatment at Ministry of Defence medical facilities.
The United States and the UAE played a role in facilitating the humanitarian mediation efforts to secure the return of the Russian military personnel from captivity. This exchange is part of ongoing efforts to resolve issues related to prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine.
In past exchanges, both countries have successfully swapped prisoners. Notably, in February 2025, 150 prisoners of war were exchanged from each side, with assistance from the United Arab Emirates. The largest prisoner swap since the conflict began in 2022 occurred in May 2025, following direct negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each.
In January 2024, another exchange took place where 195 servicemen were swapped from both sides, with mediation from the UAE. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of bringing back their personnel, stating that the exchanges will continue to ensure the return of their citizens.
