Third Round of POWs Exchange Underway as Hundreds of Wounded Ukrainians Return

Ukraine and Russia are continuing to exchange prisoners following agreements made during talks in Istanbul earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday, June 12.

The prisoner swap began Monday, June 9, with the first stage, followed by the second stage on Tuesday, June 10, when seriously wounded Ukrainian soldiers were returned home from Russian captivity. Zelensky shared the photos of the soldiers arriving in Ukraine and said all require urgent medical care.

“We are working further to return everybody from Russian captivity. Thank you to everyone who helps make these exchanges possible,” Zelensky said.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War confirmed that soldiers from various branches of Ukraine’s armed forces have been freed.

These include members of the Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense, Air Assault Forces, Security Service (SBU), Border Guard Service, National Guard, and State Special Transport Service.

Among those released are defenders of Mariupol who spent over three years in captivity. The group includes soldiers, sergeants, and officers.

All the freed soldiers have serious injuries or illnesses, such as amputated limbs, vision problems, infections, shrapnel wounds, and chronic diseases. Some have hepatitis and tuberculosis.

The first stage of the prisoner exchange took place on Monday, June 9, followed by the second stage on June 10.

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However, the number of prisoners returned home, as well as the lists of names, will be published only after all stages of the exchange are completed, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War explained.

The exchange follows a second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine held June 2 in Istanbul. At the meeting, both sides agreed to exchange all wounded soldiers and those aged under 25 – more than 1,000 people on each side. Moscow also promised to return the bodies of 6,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war.

Zelensky said the humanitarian agreements must be fully honored.

“We must bring everyone home,” he said. “We are working on this at all levels.”

This prisoner exchange is expected to be the largest of the war, surpassing last month’s swap of 1,000 prisoners on each side.