Russia and Ukraine Execute Largest Prisoner of War Exchange to Date

The Russian Defense Ministry has released a video documenting the return of 246 Russian servicemen who were freed from Ukrainian captivity during a prisoner exchange on April 19, 2025. This exchange, conducted on a “246 for 246” basis, marks one of the largest swaps of military personnel since the onset of hostilities.

In a humanitarian gesture, Ukraine also transferred 15 seriously wounded servicemen to Russia, while Moscow returned 31 injured Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv. The footage released by the Russian Defense Ministry captures the moment the freed Russian servicemen are welcomed in Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological support.

According to the ministry, the returned servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they have the opportunity to connect with their families. Following initial medical examinations and necessary care, they will be transported back to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation at Ministry of Defense facilities. The successful exchange resulted from extensive negotiations between the two sides.

This latest exchange is the fourth of its kind in 2025 and stands out as the largest in terms of the number of servicemen involved. The previous exchange occurred on March 19, involving “175 for 175,” during which Ukraine received 22 seriously wounded soldiers. Since the conflict began, over 3,200 prisoners have been exchanged, facilitated by mediation. The April 19 exchange was announced only a day prior, with preparations carried out under strict secrecy to ensure the agreements were not disrupted.