Russia and Ukraine Engage in Latest POW Exchange, Returning 146 Soldiers Each

On Sunday, Russia and Ukraine each returned 146 prisoners of war, marking the latest development in a series of exchanges that have resulted in the release of hundreds of POWs this year, according to both parties involved.

The extensive prisoner swaps have been the sole significant outcome of three rounds of discussions between Russian and Ukrainian representatives held in Istanbul from May to July. These exchanges are among the few areas where cooperation still exists between the two nations since the onset of Russia’s military actions in 2022.

The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Telegram, “On August 24, 146 Russian soldiers were returned from areas under the control of Kyiv.” It added that “in return, 146 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were sent back to Ukraine.” However, Ukraine did not disclose any numbers related to the exchange.

Additionally, Russia mentioned that “eight Russian citizens from the Kursk region, who were illegally detained” by Kyiv were also included in the swap. In a surprise operation last August, Ukrainian troops advanced into Russia’s Kursk region, taking control of several hundred square kilometers, which proved to be a significant setback for Moscow.

In response, Russia dispatched thousands of soldiers from its ally North Korea in an attempt to mount a counteroffensive, although full control of the area was not regained until April.

Among the Ukrainians freed on Sunday were “two journalists, Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush,” as reported by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War on Telegram. The statement indicated that they were “illegally held by the occupiers in 2022 and 2023.”

The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed relief at their release, noting they had been “targeted for their journalistic activities.” RSF also called for accountability for those responsible for the journalists’ kidnapping and mistreatment, emphasizing the need for the release of the 26 Ukrainian media personnel still detained by the Kremlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on social media that Khyliuk “was kidnapped in the Kyiv region in March 2022 and is finally back home in Ukraine.”

Also released was former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko, who had “spent over three years in captivity,” as reported by Zelensky’s aide, Andriy Yermak, on X. Yermak shared that “in 2022, he was slated for an exchange, but Volodymyr chose to forgo his release in favor of a seriously ill fellow prisoner he shared a cell with in a Russian prison.”