Russia and Ukraine Conduct Fresh Prisoner Exchange Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

Russia and Ukraine carried out another round of prisoner exchange on Sunday, continuing a series of swaps that have been facilitated through international mediation. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, 146 prisoners were exchanged between the two sides. Ukraine also returned eight residents of Russia’s Kursk region, which Ukrainian forces briefly captured during a surprise offensive in August 2024 before Russia recaptured it earlier this year.

Reports indicate that the released Russian soldiers are receiving psychological and medical support in Belarus before being transported to Moscow. The exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, which has played an active role in facilitating humanitarian agreements between Moscow and Kyiv.

This exchange follows the third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, held in Istanbul on July 23. After the meeting, Vladimir Medinsky, aide to the Russian President, confirmed that both sides had agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners. Similar exchanges had already taken place earlier in the year. On June 2, another swap was conducted in Istanbul, based on agreements reached in previous negotiations.

Direct talks between Russia and Ukraine have been held in Istanbul on multiple occasions since May 2025. During the second round of talks on June 2, both delegations agreed to release seriously ill and wounded prisoners, servicemen under the age of 25, and to facilitate the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that over 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home as part of these agreements.

While humanitarian progress has been made, the broader conflict remains unresolved. Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustam Umarov said after the July talks, “There has been humanitarian progress, but no progress towards ending hostilities.” The talks, which lasted only 40 minutes, underscored the deep differences between the two sides.

Medinsky, representing Russia, stressed that future meetings should aim to finalize a peace agreement rather than reopening old discussions. Moscow has also proposed a series of short ceasefires lasting 24 to 48 hours to allow for the recovery of bodies. Kyiv, however, insists on a longer and more comprehensive ceasefire.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)