Ukrainian prisoners of war leave a bus as they return after a swap, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, June 9, 2025.
A wave of relief and joy swept through Ukraine on Monday as the long-awaited Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap finally began. Among those returning home are young and wounded Ukrainian soldiers who spent years in Russian captivity, with some held since the early days of the war.
The exchange marks a significant step in the ongoing humanitarian efforts between the two warring nations.
Long-Awaited Reunion Begins
The prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia was agreed upon last week during peace talks in Turkey. Both sides confirmed the operation had officially started on Monday.
President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Telegram to share the emotional update:
“Our people are home. Ukrainians are returning from Russian captivity.”
The exchange, he said, will take place in several stages over the next few days. It includes soldiers under 25 and those who are seriously wounded.
Heroes of Mariupol Among the Freed
Some of the most notable returns are soldiers who bravely defended Mariupol, the southeastern city that faced a violent siege by Russian forces in early 2022.
Most of these Ukrainian servicemen have endured more than two years of captivity. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, confirmed that the majority were captured in 2022.
The emotional return of these soldiers has been welcomed as a symbolic moment in the conflict.
Russia Confirms Swap, Provides Medical Support
Russia’s Ministry of Defense also acknowledged the ongoing prisoner exchange. According to their statement, released servicemen are currently in Belarus receiving both medical and psychological assistance.
The swap, Russian officials claim, is the largest of its kind since the war began in 2022.
Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s top negotiator, added that the country will also hand over the bodies of more than 6,000 deceased Ukrainian soldiers, along with some wounded personnel.
Conflicting Narratives Cloud the Process
While the exchange has now begun, tensions flared over the weekend. Russia accused Ukraine of delaying the handover of deceased soldiers, claiming hundreds of body bags had been left waiting at a designated transfer point.
However, Ukrainian officials strongly denied these claims. They clarified that while both parties agreed to swap seriously wounded and younger soldiers, a fixed date for transferring the fallen had not yet been finalized.
Complex Negotiations Behind the Scenes
The current exchange stems from a second round of direct peace negotiations held in Istanbul. Though the meeting didn’t yield any major breakthroughs, it did result in this new prisoner agreement.
Zelensky noted the operation is logistically complex and will span several days. He confirmed that negotiations with Russia are ongoing daily to ensure full implementation.
“We are working on every level to bring our people back. Every life matters,” the Ukrainian president emphasized.
Hope Amidst Hardship
This Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange brings a rare moment of hope in a war marked by loss and destruction. Families are reuniting with loved ones, and the Ukrainian public is hailing the return of soldiers as a victory for perseverance.
While peace remains elusive, the swap shows that humanitarian dialogue can still open doors, even in the harshest of conflicts.
As the process continues, the world watches closely, hoping for more successful exchanges and a gradual path toward resolution.
