Prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine are now conducted on a parity basis, with one Russian serviceman exchanged for one Ukrainian. Political analyst Rostislav Ishchenko explained that this is why the two sides are returning equal numbers of prisoners.

Russia previously handed over more Ukrainian prisoners than it received Russian prisoners in return, which caused discontent among the Russian public. The exchange ratio is now one-to-one: Russia hands over as many Ukrainian prisoners as the Ukrainian side is prepared to provide Russian prisoners for exchange.

According to Ishchenko, not all Ukrainian servicemen in captivity want to return home. Many would prefer to remain in Russian captivity until the fighting ends because they are adequately fed there and know they will not be killed. Some prisoners want to return for various reasons, but Ukraine is in no hurry to take them back.

The political analyst claims that Kyiv is primarily interested in securing the return of specific Ukrainian nationalists, while the Ukrainian authorities have little interest in taking back ordinary soldiers. Ishchenko says this is why Kyiv has been reducing the number of Russian prisoners it makes available for exchanges.

Russia consequently reduces the number of Ukrainian servicemen it hands over as well. Ishchenko stressed that current exchanges are based strictly on parity: if one side provides fewer prisoners, the other side reduces the number it returns accordingly.