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Ukraine, Russia swap hundreds more POWs

Kalika Mehta AFP and Reuters
May 24, 2025

Russia and Ukraine have confirmed that hundreds more prisoners of war were swapped in the second day of a major exchange. After more than three years of fighting, both countries are holding thousands of prisoners of war.

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Ukrainian soldiers who were released in the second round of a large-scale swap
Ukraine and Russia's biggest prisoner swap to date is continuing throughout the weekendImage: Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu/picture alliance

Russia and Ukraine on Saturday said another 307 prisoners of war (POWs) had been swapped in the second day of the largest exchange since the start of the war.

"Among those who returned today are soldiers from our army, the State Border Service, and the National Guard of Ukraine," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on his official Telegram channel.

Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry added that it expected the ecxhange of prisoners to continue, without offering more details.

On Friday, Ukraine's president and Russia's Defense Ministry said they had each handed over 390 POWs.

Released Ukrainian POW wearing Ukrainian flag waves from behind window of bus
The swap comes a day after 390 POWs were released from each sideImage: Ihor Burdyga/DW

How many POWs will Ukraine and Russia release?

In the first phase of the swap, Zelenskyy announced the return of 390 prisoners of war to Russia. The Russian Defense Ministry added that each side released 270 soldiers and 120 civilians.

The prisoner swap is the first stage of the "1000-for-1000" exchange agreement reached during the Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul, Zelenskyy wrote on X.

Released Russian POWs on bus in Belarus
Russia's Foreign Ministry said that the POWs were exchanged through Moscow ally BelarusImage: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP Photo/picture alliance

After more than three years of fighting, both countries are holding thousands of prisoners of war. Russia is believed to hold the larger share, with an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Ukrainian captives.

The swap comes amid renewed diplomatic initiatives to end the war.

Russian and Ukrainian officials held face-to-face negotiations in Istanbul last week for the first time since 2022, the year Moscow launched its invasion.

Ukraine and Russia prepare major prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange follows drone attack on Kyiv

The news came hours after Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Saturday morning that left at least 15 people injured, according to local officials. 

Explosions and anti-aircraft fire were heard throughout Kyiv as many sought shelter in subway stations. 

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko took to Telegram, explaining fragments from one drone hit the top floor of an apartment block in the Solomyanskyi district of the Ukrainian capital, with at least two requiring hospital treatment.

Edited by: Saim Dušan Inayatullah