15:52 24-08-2025

Russia and Ukraine Conduct 146-for-146 Prisoner Exchange

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported a 146-for-146 prisoner swap with Ukraine, mediated by the UAE, with servicemen and civilians from Kursk region returning home.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced a prisoner exchange with Ukraine carried out under a «146 for 146» formula. The freed Russian servicemen were transferred to Belarus and will soon be brought back to Russian territory. The ministry noted that the United Arab Emirates acted as mediator in the exchange.

In addition to the military personnel, eight Russian civilians from Kursk region, described as unlawfully held by Ukrainian authorities, were also released and will be returned home.

Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova confirmed that among those freed were residents of Kursk region who had been in Ukrainian captivity since February 2025 in the city of Sumy. She said they had also arrived in Belarus and would shortly return home.

The exchange follows earlier humanitarian actions. On August 19, the two sides exchanged the remains of fallen soldiers: Moscow handed over the bodies of 1,000 troops, while Ukraine returned 19. These steps were conducted under agreements reached in Istanbul. Several similar exchanges took place during the summer of 2025, involving both prisoners of war and the remains of the dead. The sides also agreed to emergency swaps of wounded personnel.