Ukraine and Russia reach deal on Prisoner Exchange to Free 1200 Ukrainians.

As a result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, the two sides have agreed to move forward with the Istanbul-based agreements and carry out the release of 1,200 Ukrainian prisoners, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov has informed on November 15th. Umerov held consultations mediated by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates over the last few days to restart the exchange process and secure the release of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.

Earlier, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov had visited Istanbul on November 11^th, with an aspiration of unblocking the process of prisoner of war (POWs) exchanges with Russia. More than 2,500 Ukrainian soldiers are reportedly still held in Russian captivity.

During the first direct negotiations with Russia in Istanbul earlier this year, Ukraine had secured a major release of POWs in what was seen as the only tangible result of the talks. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, Ukraine have managed to bring home more than 5,800 people from Russian captivity through exchanges, as per reiteration by Volodymyr Zelensky in July 2025.

Moreover, Rustem Umerov’s trip comes more than a month after the last prisoner exchange, with President Volodymyr Zelensky tasking Umerov with bringing Ukrainian POWs home as negotiations with Russia remain stalled.

Technical consultations will take place soon to finalise the procedural and organisational steps needed for the exchange. “We are working without pause so that Ukrainians who are to return from captivity can celebrate New Year’s and Christmas at home, at the family table and with their loved ones”, Umerov said.

Team Maverick