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The year 2025 has witnessed significant developments in the exchange of prisoners and bodies between Ukraine and Russia, focusing on humanitarian efforts to repatriate fallen soldiers and release captives. These exchanges have been frequently reported, with more than 10,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers returned from the front lines. Notable exchanges involved high-profile individuals, such as former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush, who were released from Russian captivity. The exchanges, which included military personnel and civilians held since 2022, reflect ongoing negotiation efforts, often facilitated by meetings in Istanbul. These humanitarian acts aim to bring relief to affected families and demonstrate Ukraine's commitment to fulfilling agreements despite challenges in negotiations and logistical obstacles. With talks continuing, both countries strive to honor their commitments and facilitate further exchanges.

How many fallen soldiers' bodies have been repatriated to Ukraine in 2025?

In 2025, Ukraine has successfully repatriated over 10,000 bodies of fallen soldiers from various front sectors. These efforts are part of broader humanitarian agreements with Russia, aiming to honor and bring closure to the families of the deceased.

Who were among the key figures released in the latest prisoner exchanges?

The latest exchanges included notable figures such as former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush. Such exchanges highlight the significance of ongoing negotiations and the humanitarian focus of these efforts.

What is the current state of prisoner exchange talks between Ukraine and Russia?

Prisoner exchange talks between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, with recent meetings in Istanbul setting the stage for future negotiations. These talks aim to address the release of thousands of prisoners and the repatriation of soldiers' bodies, reflecting a complex yet hopeful diplomatic process.

How often have exchanges of prisoners occurred between Ukraine and Russia in 2025?

In 2025, numerous exchanges of prisoners have taken place between Ukraine and Russia, involving military personnel and civilians. These exchanges have been facilitated by high-level negotiations and aim to resolve long-standing issues related to detainees and deceased soldiers.

What challenges face the negotiations for prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

Negotiations for prisoner exchanges face several challenges, including discrepancies in lists of detainees, logistical hurdles, and the need for mutual agreements on the terms and conditions of exchanges. Both sides seek to overcome these obstacles to achieve humanitarian outcomes.

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Prisoner exchange. Who is Russia giving up besides the military? Russia sometimes transfers citizens convicted of common criminal offenses to Ukraine as part of prisoner exchange, - Deputy Prosecutor General Leshchenko As part of prisoner exchanges, Russia sometimes transfers citizens convicted of general criminal offenses to Ukraine. 1 408 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine repatriates 10,000 fallen soldiers’ bodies in 2025 Over 10,000 fallen soldiers’ bodies repatriated to Ukraine in 2025 – General Staff This year, Ukraine has managed to bring back the remains of more than 10,000 fallen service members from various sectors of the front. 1 207 8 Previously in trend: repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers Returning bodies of fallen defenders

Exchange Among those released from captivity on 24 August were former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko and journalists Khyliuk and Kaliush. PHOTOS As part of the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush were returned home from Russian captivity on 24 August. 6 928 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Exchange Another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. PHOTOS On Sunday, 24 August, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians are returning home to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. 7 904 38 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 14 August 2025 What is known Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners: 84 people, including military personnel and civilians, freed. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange. They managed to free 84 people, both military and civilians, from Russian captivity. 4 236 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy, Umerov and Yermak Zelenskyy discussed with Umerov and Yermak preparation of new meeting in Istanbul: There is agreement on exchange of 1,200 prisoners. PHOTO Today, 3 August 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the negotiation track with NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and Head of the Office Andriy Yermak, including the implementation of the agreements of the meetings with the Russian side in Istanbul and the preparation of a new meeting. 2 611 38

Prisoner exchange on 23 July Last defender of Zmiinyi Island has been returned from captivity - Coordination Headquarters. PHOTO During today's prisoner exchange, the last defender of Zmiinyi Island returned to Ukraine. 4 659 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap Ukraine and Russia carried out prisoner exchange. Seriously ill and severely wounded defenders return home – Zelenskyy. VIDEO&PHOTOS On July 23, a POW swap took place between Ukraine and Russia. Seriously ill and severely wounded defenders were returned home to Ukraine. 6 094 15 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Umerov Over 1,200 people to participate in humanitarian exchange between Russia and Ukraine – Umerov The delegations of Ukraine and Russia at the negotiations in Istanbul discussed the next stages of prisoner and civilian exchanges. 1 593 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

Volodymyr Zelenskyy New talks with Russia in Istanbul are planned for Wednesday – Zelenskyy. VIDEO In a video address, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a new meeting with the Russians in Istanbul. 3 711 72 Previously in trend: Negotiations in Turkey

Ukraine has a sufficient exchange fund Five camps for holding Russian prisoners of war are now operating, we have sufficient exchange fund - Coordination Center Ukraine has a sufficient exchange fund to continue exchanges of prisoners of war with Russia. 1 649 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy Talks with Russia possible only after completion of all exchanges agreed in Istanbul – Zelenskyy It is too early to talk about full-scale negotiations between Ukraine and Russia until the prisoner exchanges agreed upon at the second meeting in Istanbul are completed. 1 889 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap negotiations with Russia

Prisoner exchange on 10 June Eight stages of large-scale prisoner exchange have taken place since beginning of June: hundreds of Ukrainian heroes are home - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Since the beginning of June 2025, eight stages of a large exchange of prisoners of war with Russia have taken place, as part of which hundreds of Ukrainians have returned home. 1 683 18 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 4 July 2025 Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners. Military personnel and civilians are returning, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO+PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war. 6 387 47 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine returns two bodies of deceased soldiers with military IDs to Russia Ukraine returns two bodies of deceased soldiers with military tags to Russia - Klymenko. PHOTOS The Ukrainian side, within the framework of humanitarian principles and agreements, repatriated two bodies of dead Russian soldiers with Russian Armed Forces badges on them. 2 655 7 Previously in trend: repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers

Ukraine conducted a new prisoner exchange with Russia on June 26 Military personnel under 25, including Mariupol defenders, returned to Ukraine in today’s prisoner exchange – Coordination HQ On Thursday, June 26, the next stage of the large-scale prisoner exchange under the Istanbul agreements took place. A group of defenders under the age of 25, as well as wounded defenders and those with health issues, were returned to their homeland. 4 159 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Mariupol defense

Ukraine held a new prisoner exchange with Russia on 26 June Ukraine and Russia carry out new POW swap: most defenders held captive since 2022. PHOTOS On June 26, a new group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was returned from Russian captivity. 6 680 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

PACE resolution PACE called on Russian Federation to continue prisoner exchanges in "all for all" format. PHOTO The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls on the international community to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on the speedy exchange and release of all prisoners of war. 606 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

In 2025, Russia handed over the bodies of its soldiers to Ukraine 20 times In 2025, Russia has already handed over bodies of its dead soldiers to Ukraine 20 times, - National Police. PHOTOS The National Police of Ukraine has confirmed 20 cases of repatriation of the bodies of Russian soldiers that Russia handed over to the Ukrainian side in 2025. 2 303 5 Previously in trend: repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers

rf passport Russia handed over bodies of at least 20 of its soldiers to Ukraine, sometimes with Russian passports, - Zelenskyy. PHOTO Russia has handed over to Ukraine at least 20 bodies of Russian servicemen during recent repatriation events. 3 498 14 Previously in trend: Returning bodies of fallen defenders

return from captivity SSU releases exclusive video of POW swap on June 20. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released exclusive footage of a prisoner swap that took place today, June 20. 2 473 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on 20 June All defenders released as part of today’s exchange have injuries or severe medical diagnoses, - Coordination Headquarters. VIDEO+PHOTOS Today, on 20 June, another stage of a prisoner exchange in the category of "severely wounded and seriously ill" took place. In accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul, another group of defenders with serious injuries and significant health problems were returned from Russian captivity. 3 044 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia have carried out a prisoner exchange on 20 June 2025 Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange. AFU soldiers, National Guard and SBGS were freed. PHOTOS For the second day in a row, Ukraine and Russia have carried out an exchange of prisoners of war. 4 825 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on 19 June Severely ill defenders returned from Russian captivity in latest exchange – Coordination Headquarters. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, 19 June, another stage of the major prisoner exchange in the "seriously ill and wounded" category took place in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. 3 474 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 19 June 2025 Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange: most of defenders had been in captivity since 2022. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 8 739 21 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

repatriation Russia is ready to hand over more than three thousand bodies of Ukrainian soldiers - Putin Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has declared Russia's readiness to return another 3,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Ukraine as part of a prisoner exchange. 5 516 37 Previously in trend: Exchange of deceased

Some Russian prisoners do not want to be exchanged. What is the reason? Some Russian prisoners of war do not want to be exchanged, - Deputy Minister of Justice Pikalov Some prisoners of war of the Russian army do not want to go for an exchange, as they understand that after that the Russians will send them back to the front line. 3 702 16 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap captured occupiers

Exchange of children for the military. What Russia offered Russia offered to exchange abducted Ukrainian children for Russian military, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Russian side had offered to exchange Russian military personnel for abducted Ukrainian children. 2 087 34 Previously in trend: Returning children from occupation

repatriation Bodies of 1,200 more victims, including defenders, have been returned to Ukraine, according to Coordination Headquarters. PHOTOS Today, on 15 June 2025, repatriation activities continued in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. Another 1,200 bodies, which the Russian side claims belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel, were returned to Ukraine. 3 260 21 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine Returning bodies of fallen defenders

Zelenskyy’s address There is agreement that prisoner exchanges will continue next week, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that prisoner exchanges would continue next week, at least this is the agreement. 751 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Zelenskyy’s address

occupier on exchange Ukraine is first to carry out indefinite sanitary exchange of prisoners directly from front line As part of the exchange on June 14, wounded prisoners of war were handed over to the Russian side directly from the front line. 3 558 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange Defenders liberated from captivity have injuries and health problems, most of them are Mariupol defenders, most of them are officers - Coordination Center Today, the next stage of a large exchange of prisoners in the category of "wounded and seriously ill" took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. 3 109 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange Fourth prisoner exchange in week takes place - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, 14 June 2025, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. 6 197 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on June 10 After exchanges are completed, Ukraine and Russia will discuss next step - Zelenskyy Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is in contact with a representative of the Russian group , Vladimir Medinskiy, and the parties will discuss the next step after the exchanges are completed 1 334 5 Previously in trend: negotiations with Russia

repatriation Bodies of another 1,200 dead, including military personnel, have been returned to Ukraine, according to Coordination Headquarters. PHOTO Today, on 14 June 2025, another stage of repatriation activities took place in Istanbul as part of the agreements reached in Istanbul. Ukraine received another 1,200 bodies, which, according to the Russian side, belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. 7 287 28 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

POW swap SSU releases exclusive footage of June 12 POW swap. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has released exclusive footage of the prisoner exchange that took place today, June 12. 4 468 28 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy on POW swap: Among those returned are soldiers held since 2022 and those previously listed as missing. VIDEO In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the latest stage of the POW swap process. 1 688 13 Previously in trend: Zelenskyy’s address

exchange, 12 June Some of Ukrainian soldiers released today were considered missing in action, - Coordination Headquarters. PHOTOS The next stage of the large prisoner exchange under the Istanbul agreements took place. The Servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the Airborne Forces, Navy, Air Force, TDF, USF, as well as the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard of Ukraine, returned to their homeland. 4 444 2 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Soldiers are returning home. Prisoner exchange completed Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill soldiers. VIDEO&PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine and Russia have conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 5 183 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

The bodies of the fallen defenders have been returned to Ukraine Today, first stage of repatriation of bodies of deceased Ukrainian servicemen took place, - Umierov As part of the Istanbul agreements, the first stage of repatriation of the bodies of fallen Ukrainian servicemen took place today. 2 436 6 Previously in trend: Exchange of deceased

The bodies of fallen defenders returned to Ukraine Bodies of fallen soldiers brought back to Ukraine – SSU releases photos and video of repatriation. VIDEO+PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has released exclusive photos and videos from repatriation efforts conducted on June 11, during which the bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned home. 6 592 8 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

exchange of bodies of defenders Bodies of 1,212 fallen defenders have been returned to Ukraine, - Coordination Headquarters. PHOTO As a result of the repatriation activities, the bodies of 1212 fallen defenders were returned to Ukraine. 7 653 21 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Prisoner exchange on June 10 All Ukrainian defenders liberated today have serious injuries and serious illnesses - Coordination Center Today, on June 10, the first stage of the exchange of prisoners in the category of "seriously wounded and seriously ill" took place in Istanbul under the agreements with Russia. 4 124 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 10 June Ukraine brings back seriously wounded and injured defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On 10 June, the second group of prisoners of war returned to Ukraine. Severely wounded and seriously ill Ukrainian defenders returned home from Russian captivity. 8 183 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Captive Ukrainians Unidentified persons call relatives of our prisoners and urge them to appeal to international organizations and White House - Coordination Center Another wave of calls to relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war has been recorded. Unidentified persons introducing themselves as "representatives of the Russian authorities responsible for the exchange" are trying to exert pressure and manipulate the trust of the relatives of our defenders. 1 392 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

war Security Service of Ukraine releases exclusive footage of POW swap. VIDEO+PHOTOS On June 9, Ukraine carried out another prisoner exchange. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released exclusive photos and videos from the event, capturing emotional moments of Ukrainian defenders returning home. 5 809 4 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Ukraine and Russia begin prisoner exchange – Who was released first? Umerov on POW swap: Phased return of specific categories of POWs planned Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of a large-scale POW swap took place as part of the agreements reached in Istanbul. 1 646 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia to exchange prisoners on June 9, 2025 Mariupol defenders who spent more than 3 years in captivity are among those liberated today - Coordination Center Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of the prisoner exchange took place under the agreements in Istanbul. 3 758 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap