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Kyiv, Ukraine – June 9, 2025 – In a rare and significant humanitarian breakthrough amidst the brutal ongoing conflict, Ukraine and Russia today commenced a complex prisoner of war (POW) exchange, a multi-stage operation agreed upon during direct talks in Istanbul earlier this month. The initial phase of the swap saw the return of both severely wounded and critically ill soldiers, as well as those under the age of 25, to their respective homelands. This highly anticipated exchange offers a glimmer of hope in a war otherwise characterized by unyielding hostilities and a tragic human toll.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the start of the exchange, stating that "Ukrainians are coming home from Russian captivity," and that the process would "continue in several stages over the coming days." He highlighted the complexity of the operation, noting that "the process is quite complicated, there are many sensitive details, and negotiations continue virtually every day." While neither side immediately disclosed the exact number of individuals exchanged in this initial phase for security reasons, both Ukrainian and Russian officials confirmed the handover of busloads of service personnel. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that an "equal number" of military personnel had been returned to each side.
The groundwork for this extensive exchange was laid during two rounds of direct negotiations in Istanbul. The first round, held on May 16, reportedly aimed for a "thousand for thousand" swap, with a significant exchange of 1,000 prisoners from each side taking place in three stages from May 23 to 25. The second, more recent round of talks on June 2, was crucial in hammering out the specifics of this current, larger-scale operation. At that meeting, both sides agreed to prioritize categories of prisoners rather than strict numbers, focusing on severely wounded and critically ill individuals, as well as all soldiers aged 18 to 25. This emphasis on vulnerable groups reflects a humanitarian imperative, acknowledging the suffering endured by those in captivity.
Among the Ukrainian defenders returning today are veterans of the brutal defense of Mariupol, some of whom have spent over three years in Russian captivity since the early days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that all released Ukrainian service members are of enlisted and non-commissioned officer ranks, representing various branches of the armed forces, including the Navy, land forces, territorial defense, Air Force, Airborne Assault Forces, Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service. Upon their return, these individuals will receive comprehensive support, including document restoration, financial assistance for their time in captivity, and crucial medical rehabilitation.
Beyond the exchange of living prisoners, the Istanbul talks also touched upon the deeply sensitive issue of repatriating the bodies of fallen soldiers. Both Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to the return of approximately 12,000 deceased soldiers, a vital step for families seeking closure. However, specific dates for these repatriations have yet to be finalized, indicating the ongoing complexities and sensitivities involved in every aspect of these negotiations.
Despite the positive step of this exchange, the process has been fraught with challenges and mutual accusations. Just days before the current swap, both Kyiv and Moscow accused each other of disrupting previous planned exchanges and delaying the repatriation of bodies. President Zelenskyy had publicly expressed doubts about the success of the current swap, accusing Russia of playing a "dirty political and information game" and failing to provide full lists of POWs as agreed. Similarly, Russian officials had accused Ukraine of "unexpectedly postponing" the exchange and the acceptance of bodies. Such accusations highlight the deep mistrust that persists between the warring nations, even when engaging in humanitarian endeavors.
International bodies and mediators, while not directly involved in the negotiations that led to this exchange, have consistently called for the humane treatment of prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has played a crucial role in facilitating communication between the belligerents and ensuring humanitarian standards where possible, although access to all detention facilities remains a persistent challenge.
This prisoner exchange, potentially the largest since the full-scale invasion began, represents one of the very few areas where Ukraine and Russia have been able to reach concrete agreements. While broader peace talks remain stalled and the fighting on the front lines continues unabated, these humanitarian swaps offer a narrow but vital channel for dialogue and a mechanism to alleviate some of the immense human suffering caused by the conflict. The ongoing commitment from both sides to continue these stages in the coming days underscores a shared, albeit limited, understanding of the universal human need for families to be reunited and for their loved ones to return home.
Source@DW