Russia and Ukraine Swap 175 Prisoners in Exchange \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Russia and Ukraine completed a major prisoner exchange, each releasing 175 captives. Families in Ukraine celebrated long-awaited reunions with returning soldiers, many of whom endured harsh conditions. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy continues to push for an “all-for-all” exchange as ceasefire talks progress.
Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Swap Quick Looks
- Russia and Ukraine exchanged 175 prisoners each in a major swap.
- President Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of freeing all captives.
- Emotional family reunions occurred at a hospital in Chernihiv, Ukraine.
- Released soldiers described torture, neglect, and severe weight loss.
- Some soldiers had been detained for nearly three years.
- Russia released 22 severely wounded Ukrainian captives as a “goodwill gesture.”
- Exchanges are complex, taking months of negotiation and planning.
- Over 4,000 Ukrainians have been freed since Russia’s invasion began.
- Ukrainian troops returned from various conflict zones, including Mariupol and Donetsk.
- The UAE and international partners assisted in facilitating the exchange.
Deep Look
In one of the most significant prisoner swaps since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, both Russia and Ukraine confirmed on Wednesday that they had exchanged 175 prisoners each. The large-scale operation brought relief to families who had long awaited news of their loved ones, and furthered Ukraine’s call for broader prisoner releases to promote peace.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, announcing the exchange, emphasized that among those freed were soldiers, sergeants, and officers who had fought valiantly in the ranks of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defense Forces, and Border Guard Service. Zelenskyy reiterated that the release of prisoners of war and civilians would help build trust between Ukraine and Russia, calling once again for a comprehensive “all-for-all” prisoner exchange.
The exchange occurred near the northern border between the two countries, triggering waves of emotion as anxious families rushed to a hospital in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region to reunite with the released captives.
Among those eagerly waiting was 28-year-old Aliona Skuibida, who had tirelessly campaigned for the return of her fiancé, Andrii Orel. He was captured in April 2022 during the fierce battle for Mariupol. Skuibida, a member of the Marine Corps Strength Association, revealed that the couple had plans to marry as soon as he returned from the front lines. Instead, his capture extended their separation for nearly three years.
“Captivity is not survival,” she said, acknowledging the physical and emotional trauma many soldiers suffer in Russian captivity. However, on this day, she was filled with joy, ready to celebrate Orel’s return with balloons in Ukraine’s national colors and a birthday cake — his birthday having passed just a day earlier.
As buses carrying the freed soldiers pulled into the hospital grounds, scenes of relief and joy unfolded. Despite their frail appearance and clear exhaustion, many soldiers smiled — even those with missing teeth. One of them, 46-year-old Oleksandr Savov, described the overwhelming moment of seeing the Ukrainian flag. “Until I saw our flag, I couldn’t believe I was home,” he shared, embracing his daughter Anastasiia, who had written unanswered letters to him for three years.
Savov spoke about the conditions of his imprisonment, describing cold, damp environments, lack of medical care, and severe malnutrition. He had lost around 20 kilograms (44 pounds) and showed reporters his hands, covered in a red rash. His immediate wishes were simple: “peace, a bowl of borshch, a chance to wash, and a clean bed.”
Even amidst the celebrations, heartbreak lingered. Families carrying photos of their missing loved ones moved among the crowd, asking newly released prisoners if they had seen them.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that in addition to the exchange, they released 22 severely wounded Ukrainian captives as part of a “goodwill gesture.” President Zelenskyy confirmed that these returns happened via separate negotiations. Initially, Russian President Vladimir Putin had pledged to release 23 prisoners during discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a potential ceasefire, though no explanation was given for the discrepancy in numbers.
Zelenskyy added that among those released were severely injured soldiers and fighters previously prosecuted on what he described as fabricated charges. He reassured the nation, saying, “Ukraine remembers each of its heroes, and we will bring everyone home.”
Petro Yatsenko, head of the press office for Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, explained the complexities of these operations. “These exchanges are not spontaneous events. They require months of planning — not just days or weeks,” he said. The most recent prisoner swap had taken place on February 5, and the team had been working continuously since then for this larger exchange.
Since Russia’s invasion began, Ukraine has succeeded in securing the release of over 4,000 captives, including civilians and foreign nationals. The soldiers returned on Wednesday came from battlegrounds in Mariupol, the Azovstal steel plant, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Kursk.
President Zelenskyy confirmed that all returnees would receive immediate medical attention and psychological support. He also expressed his gratitude to international partners, with particular thanks to the United Arab Emirates for facilitating the complex negotiations.
The United Nations has previously reported that Ukrainian prisoners of war frequently endure systematic mistreatment, medical neglect, and torture while in Russian captivity. Isolated instances of abuse by Russian forces have also been documented during capture or transit to detention centers.
While this exchange marks significant progress, the pain of separation continues for thousands of families still waiting. Yet, with ongoing ceasefire discussions and growing international involvement, hope remains alive that more reunions will follow.
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