prisoner exchange Russia Ukraine

20 Azov fighters freed in first phase of 1,000-for-1,000 POW swap

20 Azov Corps fighters, including 19 defenders of Mariupol, returned from Russian captivity on May 15 as part of the first phase of a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange, Commander of the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine Denys Prokopenko reported on Facebook.

15 May, 05:00 PM

Ukraine expects American guarantees for prisoner exchange with Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia are preparing a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange that “must be carried out,” with the United States having assumed guarantees for the process. Zelenskyy made the statement during his evening video address on May 10.

10 May, 07:50 PM

Ukraine brings home 193 service members in new prisoner exchange with Russia — photo

Ukraine brought home 193 service members from Russian captivity in a new prisoner exchange, the second stage of what officials called the Easter exchange, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 24.

24 April, 06:20 PM

Witkoff reports further progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

Further progress in Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations is expected in the coming weeks, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said on X on March 6, citing recent prisoner exchanges as outcomes of talks directed by President Donald Trump.

6 March, 06:55 PM

Youngest Ukrainian defender freed in prisoner swap reunites with family

A Ukrainian soldier from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast returned home on March 5 as part of a prisoner exchange that freed 200 Ukrainian defenders, the energy company DTEK Pavlohradvuhillia reported on Facebook on March 6.

6 March, 04:10 PM

Ukrainian POWs from Mariupol and beyond return home

A new prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place on Friday, June 20, with dozens of Ukrainian defenders returning home after more than two years in captivity, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced.

20 June 2025, 02:52 PM

Trump and Putin discuss Iran conflict, Ukraine war in latest phone call

U.S. President Donald Trump revealed on June 14 that he had a phone conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who called to “very nicely” wish him a happy birthday.

15 June 2025, 11:20 AM

Prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia has not taken place — statements from both sides

Ukrainian officials accused Russia of applying pressure and distorting the terms of the agreement, after the head of the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks, Vladimir Medinsky, claimed that Ukraine had postponed the planned prisoner exchange, according to his Telegram post on June 7.

7 June 2025, 06:49 PM

Third phase of 1,000-for-1,000 swap: Ukraine welcomes back freed defenders

On May 25, Ukraine brought home 303 service members in the third phase of a prisoner exchange with the aggressor state Russia. NV published photos from the swap.

25 May 2025, 06:21 PM

Ukraine brings home 303 more troops in third stage of prisoner swap with Russia

Ukraine has secured the return of another 303 servicemembers from Russian captivity as part of a major prisoner exchange agreement, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on May 25.

25 May 2025, 01:01 PM

Large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia will take several days — NV source

A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and aggressor state Russia will take place over several days, a source told NV.

23 May 2025, 04:39 PM

Budanov: Ukraine and Russia may exchange 1,000 prisoners each next week

A large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia in a “1,000 for 1,000” format could take place next week, according to comments by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), to TSN.ua on May 17.

17 May 2025, 04:21 PM

prisoner exchange Russia Ukraine