Russia and Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange involving four hundred personnel with second swap scheduled for Friday

Russia reports a 200 for 200 prisoner swap with Ukraine, mediated by the UAE and US, with 600 more personnel expected to be exchanged on Friday.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 8:15 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Anadolu Agency

Details of the Personnel Exchange

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday that a significant prisoner swap has taken place between Moscow and Kyiv. According to official statements, 200 Russian servicemen were returned from territory currently controlled by the Ukrainian government. In a reciprocal move, 200 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were handed over to Kyiv. This development marks one of the larger personnel exchanges since the beginning of the year and suggests a functional level of communication between the two warring parties regarding humanitarian matters.

International Mediation Efforts

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the successful coordination of this exchange was made possible through the direct humanitarian mediation of the United Arab Emirates and the United States. These third party nations acted as intermediaries to ensure the safe transfer of personnel across designated exchange points. The involvement of both the UAE and the United States underscores the international dimensions of the ongoing negotiations to address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

Medical and Psychological Support

Upon their return to Russian territory, the 200 servicemen were immediately provided with specialized care. The Foreign Ministry noted that all returning personnel are receiving the necessary medical and psychological assistance to address their needs following their time in captivity. Similar procedures are typically followed by the Ukrainian authorities for their returning soldiers, ensuring that the physical and mental well-being of the exchange participants is prioritized before they are reunited with their families.