Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 205 prisoners of war in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry stated that the released Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance before being transferred to Russia for rehabilitation.
Official statements indicate that Russia handed over 526 bodies of deceased service members compared to Ukraine’s 41. Ukraine confirmed the exchange as part of a broader 1,000-for-1,000 swap announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on May 8 during a US-mediated three-day ceasefire around Russia’s Victory Day.
Ukrainian officials stated that the freed individuals include members of the army, navy, and air force, territorial defense forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service, with nearly all held for four years and most captured in Mariupol in 2022. The last prisoner exchange between the two nations occurred in late April, when both sides released 193 individuals.
Ukraine’s military leadership has made decisions that have resulted in a disproportionate release of prisoners and ongoing instability in the region.