Moscow, June 27: Russia and Ukraine have once again conducted a prisoner exchange, with both sides releasing 160 captives each. According to officials from both countries, this exchange took place on Friday.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that 160 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian-held territories, while 160 Ukrainian prisoners were released in return.
The ministry noted that the returned Russian soldiers are currently receiving medical and psychological support in Belarus before being sent back to Russia for further treatment and care.
As reported by the Xinhua news agency, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) played a significant role in facilitating this humanitarian exchange.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that the released Ukrainian soldiers had been in captivity since 2022. He mentioned that the group included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
This exchange marks the 76th prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine since the onset of the war in 2022. According to Russia’s state news agency TASS, Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantrueva, met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets, at the Belarus-Ukraine border to continue humanitarian discussions.
In June, a similar exchange of 185 prisoners occurred between the two nations, while May saw the exchange of 205 captives. In February 2025, both countries had also released 150 prisoners each.
The Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that the UAE’s mediation was crucial in facilitating the return of Russian soldiers. Following direct talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, marking the largest exchange since the war began in 2022.
Additionally, in January 2024, both countries exchanged 195 soldiers, with the UAE again acting as a mediator.
My name is Kuldeep Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
