Russia and Ukraine Begin Largest Prisoner Swap of the War

Russia and Ukraine each released 390 prisoners on Friday, May 23, in what marks the beginning of the largest prisoner exchange since the war began more than three years ago. The coordinated release—comprising 270 soldiers and 120 civilians from each side—signals a rare act of cooperation amid ongoing hostilities.

The exchange is part of a broader agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners each, the most significant gesture to emerge from recent talks in Istanbul. Those negotiations marked the first direct peace talks since 2022 between Russian and Ukrainian officials in over three years. While no progress was made toward a ceasefire proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, the prisoner deal is being cautiously viewed as a potential opening for further dialogue.

“ It is very important to return everyone who remains in captivity. We are verifying every surname, every detail about each person.,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement confirming the figures and noting that additional releases are expected over the weekend.

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The Russian Ministry of Defence echoed the announcement, confirming the exchange numbers and suggesting that more coordinated releases were imminent.

In northern Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, reporters were instructed to gather at a secure location where some of the freed Ukrainian prisoners were expected to arrive.

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen after a swap, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture released May 23, 2025. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy via Telegram/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) are seen after a swap, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, at an unknown location in Ukraine, in this handout picture released May 23, 2025. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy via Facebook/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Reacting to the exchange, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???”