Ukraine and Russia Conduct Second POW Exchange in a Week

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

KYIV/MOSCOW — Ukraine and Russia carried out a second prisoner of war (POW) exchange within a week on Friday, following up on commitments made during peace negotiations earlier this month in Istanbul, officials from both nations confirmed.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the return of a group of Russian soldiers from Ukrainian-controlled territories, stating they had been exchanged for Ukrainian POWs. The Ukrainian government confirmed the transfer but, like Moscow, did not disclose the exact number of soldiers involved in the latest swap.

This development comes after the two sides agreed in Istanbul to exchange over 1,000 prisoners — prioritizing the wounded, the ill, and those under the age of 25. The initiative was hailed as a humanitarian gesture amid an otherwise stalled broader peace process.

A video released by Russia’s Defense Ministry showed freed servicemen wrapped in Russian flags and chanting patriotic slogans, underscoring the emotional impact of such exchanges for both nations.

These exchanges have become one of the few ongoing channels of direct communication between Moscow and Kyiv.

Despite the successful prisoner transfers, Russia continues its military operations in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin maintains that any potential ceasefire would depend on Kyiv ceding additional territory and reducing its reliance on Western military aid — conditions Ukraine has firmly rejected.

While the resumption of POW exchanges offers a glimmer of humanitarian relief, the path to a sustainable peace deal remains uncertain. Both sides continue to face intense pressure on the battlefield and diplomatically as international actors urge de-escalation.

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