Friday, October 3, 2025 - Russia and Ukraine carried out a prisoner exchange on Thursday, October 2, with each side releasing 185 prisoners of war. In addition, 20 civilians were also freed, according to statements from both Moscow and Kyiv.
Russia’s defence ministry announced on Telegram that “185
Russian servicemen have been returned” alongside the civilians. Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the swap, sharing photos of the released
Ukrainians draped in national flags and smiling. “Alongside our defenders,
civilians are also returning home 20 of our people. Everyone will
definitely receive all the support they need,” he said. Zelensky added that
since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, more than 7,000 Ukrainians
have been brought home.
Prisoner swaps have been among the few areas of cooperation
between Russia and Ukraine during the war. They were the main outcome of three
rounds of peace talks held in Istanbul between May and July and have continued
despite the absence of progress toward a broader settlement. Both countries
have also engaged in the repatriation of fallen soldiers.
Tens of thousands of soldiers are believed to have died on
both sides since Russia’s invasion began, though neither country regularly
discloses casualty figures.
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