Historical prisoner exchange: 1,000 people are home!

Historical prisoner exchange: 1,000 people are home!

Istanbul, Türkei - The most comprehensive prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the war has been completed last weekend. In the days from 23 to May 26, 2025, around 1,000 people returned home after an agreement was made in Istanbul in mid -May. These discussions marked the first direct negotiations since 2022 and took place on the pressure of US President Donald Trump. Compact reports that 303 people were released on Sunday, 390 on Friday and 307 on Saturday.

Both sides confirmed the exchange: the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj. This exchange, which included more than 1,000 prisoners per side, is the only concrete result of the negotiations. Selenskyj emphasized the tireless work of his team to ensure that everyone in captivity returns home. The conditions during the exchange were difficult, especially for the many Ukrainians who have been in Russian captivity since 2022

Details about exchange

The exchange confirmed the willingness of both sides to humanitarian measures despite the continuing conflicts. Both soldiers and civilians were among the released people. The exact division consisted of 270 soldiers and 120 civilians per side. Some of the exchanged Russian citizens, including people from the Kursk area, are now in Belarus, where they receive support in the form of psychological and medical help. After completing the rehabilitation measures, they are intended to return to Russia.

Selenskyj thanked the participants for the return of the prisoners and named Saturday and Sunday as possible appointments for further exchanges. However, the massive release of prisoners took place against the background of intensive military conflicts. In the past few days, Russia has carried out considerable air raids on Ukraine, which have been described as the hardest for weeks. According to Ukrainian information, at least twelve people were killed. In the meantime, the primary goal of bringing all people held home in Russia remains. ZDF reported on the tragic circumstances under which the exchange took place.

The success of this exchange could possibly form a basis for future negotiations, even if the human costs of the conflict are still high. Tagesschau emphasizes that further handover of a total of 1,000 prisoners of war are planned in the coming days, which awakens hope of improving the situation for the prisoners and their families.