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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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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Russia has still not provided complete lists of more than thousand prisoners whose exchange was agreed in Istanbul, - Zelenskyy Russia has not yet provided full lists of more than a thousand prisoners of war, the exchange of which was agreed upon in Istanbul. 2 641 22 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

exchange of prisoners on May 6 Ukraine is facing information pressure and attempts to single-handedly dictate parameters of exchange process, - Budanov The start of repatriation activities following the talks in Istanbul is scheduled for next week, as the authorized persons were informed on June 3. 3 428 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ministry of Defense Russia wants to "overplay" agreements reached in Istanbul - Defense Ministry on situation with exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls on the Russian side not to create artificial obstacles and false statements in order not to return Ukrainian prisoners and not to take their prisoners to Russia. 4 365 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 24 May Russian side has provided lists that do not correspond to agreed approach, Coordination Headquarters responded to Russia’s accusations of Ukraine’s alleged disruption of exchange Today's statements by the Russian side do not correspond to reality and previous agreements on either the exchange of prisoners or the repatriation of bodies. 12 280 28 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Vladimir Medinskiy Medinskiy accuses Ukraine of allegedly delaying exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen The Russian side has accused Ukraine of allegedly delaying the exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen soldiers. 2 747 9

Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia is manipulating issue of repatriation of bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders within framework of Istanbul agreements, - Coordination Centre Ukraine has denied the statements of a number of Russian media outlets about the alleged beginning of the return of the bodies of fallen soldiers in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. 2 566 5 Previously in trend: repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukraine and Russia agree on new "1,000-for-1,000" POW swap and repatriation of bodies – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that, following negotiations in Turkey, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations reached an agreement on a new large-scale prisoner exchange and the repatriation of bodies. 3 013 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

POW swap Ukraine and Russia agree on preliminary timeline and mechanisms for new POW swap – DIU During negotiations held in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on a new prisoner exchange. Specifically, the sides coordinated the timeline and mechanisms for implementation. 1 120 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 24 May Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange all severely wounded POWs and individuals under 25 – Umerov During the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed on new prisoner exchanges under the "all for all" format, focusing on specific categories: the severely wounded and seriously ill, as well as youth aged 18 to 25. 4 283 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

President of Ukraine Zelenskyy Zelenskyy after talks in Istanbul: New exchange of prisoners of war is being prepared After the Turkish-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a new exchange of prisoners of war is being prepared. 2 583 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

303 defenders returned home Exchange of prisoners in "all-for-all" format may take place after ceasefire - Zelenskyy The exchange of prisoners of war in the "all-for-all" format can take place after the ceasefire. However, Russia does not always honestly fulfill the conditions during the exchanges. 832 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

The captured North Korean "1000 for 1000" exchange: DPRK prisoners of war were not on lists North Korean soldiers held captive in Ukraine did not take part in the recent large-scale exchange of prisoners of war in the "1000 for 1000" format between Kyiv and Moscow. 884 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap prisoners of war of the DPRK

Anatolii Taranenko, traitor Coordination Headquarters explained release of traitor Taranenko from captivity: Ukraine did not influence Russian lists, law enforcement agencies will deal with him. PHOTO As part of the "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange, Anatolii Taranenko, a Ukrainian soldier who in 2021 probably defected to Russia, was released from enemy captivity. 10 446 36 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prokopenko (Redis) on the absence of Azov soldiers in the 1,000 for 1,000 exchange No Azov soldiers in "1000 for 1000" exchange: I don’t believe that only reason is Russians’ unwillingness to release them, - Azov commander Prokopenko The commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard, Denys (Redis) Prokopenko, said that not a single Azov soldier had been exchanged as part of the large-scale 1000-for-1000 exchange. 19 529 188 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

86 servicemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs returned from captivity. 86 servicemen of Ministry of Internal Affairs were returned as part of "1000 for 1000" exchange - Klymenko. PHOTOS As part of a large-scale 1000-for-1000 exchange, 86 servicemen from the Ministry of Internal Affairs were released from Russian captivity. 1 769 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

303 defenders returned home Among those released from captivity today are 70 defenders of Mariupol, including 33 defenders of Azovstal - Umerov Today, on May 25, 2025, the third stage of the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange has ended. 3 567 15 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange Third stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 303 defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS Today, 25 May 2025, the third stage of the 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange took place. Ukraine returned another 303 servicemen from Russian captivity. 6 065 37 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

daughter of a Ukrainian released from captivity Father of girl who was recently returned from occupation was also freed from captivity. VIDEO The father of a girl who had recently been returned from the TOT was released from enemy captivity. 4 072 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

U.S. President Donald Trump Trump leaked secret of major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia - Politico Despite strict secrecy, U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to make public the details of the large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia that was to take place on May 23. Publicity could have jeopardized the safety of the prisoners and disrupted the operation. 15 187 63 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on May 24 We do not forget about those who are still waiting. Everyone is important, - Umierov about today’s exchange of prisoners Today, another 307 Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the exchange under the agreements reached with the Russian side in Istanbul. 1 040 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on May 24 27 Mariupol defenders returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity today - Coordination Center In the exchange of prisoners on May 24, 27 defenders of Mariupol were returned to Ukraine. And it was the first time that prisoners were released from certain units and military units. 3 275 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Mariupol defense

Prisoner exchange on 24 May Second stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 307 defenders. PHOTOS On 24 May, another 307 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the 1000-for-1000 exchange. 6 966 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Kellogg responded to the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia on May 23 Prisoner exchange is the most positive result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul - Kellogg US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, reacted to the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia under the first stage of the "1000 for 1000" formula, which took place on May 23. 726 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

May 23 prisoner swap: Ukraine hands over 70 collaborators to Russia 70 traitors transferred to Russia as part of "1000-for-1000" exchange – ’I want to go to my people’ project On May 23, the first stage of the prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia under the "1000-for-1000" format took place. As part of this exchange, 70 individuals convicted in Ukraine of collaboration and high treason were transferred to Russia. 10 905 46 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Disclosure of collaborators

POW swap Exclusive SSU video following first stage of "1000-for-1000" POW swap. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has released exclusive footage following the first stage of the "1000-for-1000" POW exchange. Another 390 Ukrainians have been freed from Russian captivity. 5 251 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Prisoner swap was only meaningful outcome of meeting in Türkiye. Russia is blocking everything else, says Zelenskyy. VIDEO The large-scale prisoner exchange based on the "1000-for-1000" formula, the first stage of which took place on May 23, was described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the "only meaningful outcome" of the negotiations in Türkiye. According to the Head of State, Russia is blocking everything else. 2 401 31 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 23 May "Hi, I’m alive and well": first calls from Ukrainian soldiers to families after release from Russian captivity. VIDEO Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity under the first stage of the large-scale "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange are calling their loved ones for the first time after their release. 3 339 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Umerov Umerov on 1000-for-1000 exchange: Lists were formed based on one criterion — to save lives The first stage of the "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place today. As part of the agreement, 390 Ukrainian citizens have returned home. 1 882 15 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW exchange on May 23 Ukraine brings home 270 service members and 120 civilian Ukrainians – Coordination Headquarters On May 23, the first day of the "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange, 390 Ukrainians were freed from Russian captivity – 270 military personnel and 120 civilians. 8 991 21 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 23 May First day of major POW exchange: 390 Ukrainians return from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On May 23, 390 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity. This marks the first phase of the prisoner exchange under the "1000-for-1000" format. 10 841 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Trump announced large prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia Major prisoner swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine - Trump US President Donald Trump said that "a major prisoner swap" had taken place between Ukraine and Russia. 10 498 55 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine hands over list for "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange to Russia Ukraine has already handed over "1000-for-1000" exchange list to Russia – DIU Ukraine has submitted a list of names for a planned "1000-for-1000" prisoner swap. The list has already been handed over to the Russian side. 1 579 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

"1000-for-1000" prisoner swap. Zelenskyy holds meeting Zelenskyy holds meeting on preparations for "1000-for-1000" prisoner swap. PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on preparations for the exchange of prisoners of war. 1 103 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy Zelenskyy on planned "1,000 for 1,000" swap: We’re verifying information on every name President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced preparations for a large-scale prisoner swap with Russia in a "1,000 for 1,000" format. 1 266 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Volodymyr Zelenskyy We are discussing POW swap – Zelenskyy on announced 1,000-for-1,000 swap The recently announced 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia concerns only military personnel. 867 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner swap on April 19 Step-by-step plan agreed for implementing 1000-for-1000 prisoner swap – Umerov On May 19, 2025, during a briefing to the President of Ukraine, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov provided a detailed report on the results of the talks in Türkiye and Ukraine’s next steps. 906 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Peace negotiations

SSU starts preparations for exchange of 1000 for 1000 people SSU starts preparations for "1000 for 1000" prisoner exchange The Joint Center for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners of War at the Security Service of Ukraine has already begun preparations for a large-scale exchange of prisoners in the "1000 for 1000" format. 1 342 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Budanov spoke about the 1000 for 1000 exchange of prisoners "1000 for 1000" prisoner exchange may take place next week - Budanov The largest exchange of prisoners in the "1000 for 1000" format may take place next week. 1 116 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

1,000-for-1,000 exchange – Umerov speaks on Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul 1,000-for-1,000 exchange to take place soon, date already set – Umerov. VIDEO Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced that during negotiations with the Russian side in Istanbul, the issue of a prisoner swap in a "1000-for-1000" format was discussed. 3 286 16 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia Negotiations in Turkey

MIA, exchange Forty servicemen of Ministry of Internal Affairs were released from Russian captivity – Klymenko. PHOTOS On 6 May, another POW exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Among those released from captivity were 40 servicemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 2 279 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW exchange on 6 May Ukraine brings back 205 soldiers from Russian captivity (updated). VIDEO&PHOTOS On May 6, 2025, another POW exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place. 12 989 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Return of fallen soldiers: What Ministry of Internal Affairs says Returning bodies of servicemen, Russians do not explain causes of death - Interior Ministry Russians hand over the bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders only to return their occupiers. 3 289 3 Previously in trend: Returning bodies of fallen defenders

6 fighters of 12th Azov Brigade returned from captivity Preparations are already underway for next operations to bring our POWs home, - DIU Ukraine is already working on organizing the next POW exchanges. 895 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

released from captivity Most of soldiers returned from Russian captivity today are young people born after 2000, - Coordination Centre. PHOTOS Most of the soldiers who were brought home from Russian captivity on Saturday, 19 April, are young people born after 2000. 6 248 30 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 19 April Ukraine returns 277 soldiers from Russian captivity. VIDEO+PHOTOS Today, on 19 April, Ukraine returned another 277 defenders from Russian captivity. 12 594 25 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner swap on March 19. Ukraine brings back 197 soldiers Ukraine and Russia to conduct 246-for-246 prisoner swap tomorrow with UAE mediation – Sky News On Saturday, April 19, Russia and Ukraine will carry out a new prisoner swap. 2 092 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukrainian Armed Forces capture DPRK soldiers Russian prisoners do not complain about conditions of detention - Lubinets During the exchange, which took place on March 19, 2025, employees of the Ombudsman's Office talked to Russian prisoners of war. 1 562 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap captured occupiers

6 soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade returned from captivity Six Azov Brigade soldiers returned from Russian captivity as part of today’s swap. PHOTOS As part of the POW swap that took place on Wednesday, 19 March, six soldiers of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard were released from Russian captivity. 7 608 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity