Ukraine and Russia complete initial phase of major prisoner exchange involving four hundred servicemen

Ukraine completes the first phase of a major prisoner swap, returning 200 defenders from Russian captivity with a larger group expected to follow tomorrow.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 10:25 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Hromadske

First stage of landmark prisoner swap completed

On March 5, 2026, Ukraine finalized the first phase of a significant prisoner exchange, welcoming 200 servicemen back from Russian captivity. The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that the swap was a reciprocal arrangement, with Russia receiving 200 of its own soldiers in return. This operation marks the beginning of a multi day implementation of recently reached agreements between the two nations, with officials indicating that a larger group is expected to be processed during the second phase tomorrow.

Return of long held Mariupol defenders

Among the individuals released on Thursday were soldiers who participated in the defense of Mariupol, some of whom have spent nearly four years in Russian captivity. The cohort of returning defenders also includes personnel who served in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions. While the majority of those freed are soldiers and sergeants, several officers were also included in the initial group. The return of these long term captives represents a significant milestone for the families and military units involved.

Critical health and psychological conditions reported

The Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights noted that many of the returning defenders are in serious psychological condition following their prolonged detention. Early assessments indicate that several individuals suffer from critically low body weight and other physical ailments. All released personnel are scheduled to undergo a comprehensive medical examination and will receive specialized physical and psychological rehabilitation assistance. The Ukrainian government has committed to providing all state mandated payments and support services to those returning from captivity.