1000-Prisoner Swap Agreement Reached Between Russia and Ukraine

Russian and Ukrainian delegations concluded negotiations that resulted in an unprecedented agreement for a prisoner exchange. This exchange, described by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov as a “1000-for-1000” arrangement, marks the largest prisoner swap since the onset of the special military operation (SMO) in February 2022. Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky confirmed the agreement, indicating that the exchange would occur in the coming days, though the exact date remains undisclosed.

These discussions represent the first direct interactions between Moscow and Kyiv since March 2022. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan chaired the talks, which focused on three main issues: establishing a ceasefire, facilitating the prisoner exchange, and exploring the potential for a meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. While a ceasefire agreement was not reached, the prisoner exchange was hailed as a significant step forward, with Fidan referring to it as a “confidence-building measure.”

Umerov noted that the exchange would involve military personnel, including sergeants and officers, and possibly civilians, although specific names and numbers have yet to be disclosed. Medinsky mentioned that both countries would exchange written proposals regarding ceasefire terms, which will serve as the groundwork for future discussions. If executed, this exchange would exceed previous efforts in scale, surpassing the last major swap on April 19, 2025, when 350 prisoners were exchanged.

Historically, prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine have included notable episodes. For instance, on September 14, 2024, the two nations swapped 206 prisoners, including Russians captured in the Kursk region. Additionally, a significant exchange on February 5, 2025, saw 150 individuals released from each side.