May 25, 2025 — in a rare moment of cooperation amidst ongoing hostilities, Russia and Ukraine concluded the third and final phase of their most extensive prisoner exchange since the onset of the war in 2022. On Sunday, each side released 303 prisoners, culminating a three-day operation that saw a total of 1,000 detainees freed on both sides.
Details of the Exchange
The agreement, brokered during peace talks in Istanbul earlier this month, facilitated the return of 303 Ukrainian servicemen, including members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, and State Special Transport Service. Among them were 70 defenders of Mariupol. All were men holding ranks of privates and sergeants, captured from various regions including Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, and Chernihiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, stating, “We will definitely bring every single one of our people back from Russian captivity.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the returned Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus receiving necessary psychological and medical assistance before returning to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
Context of the Exchange
This exchange follows two previous swaps conducted over the past two days, where 390 and 307 prisoners were exchanged, respectively. The operation marks the 65th prisoner exchange since the full-scale invasion began.
Despite this humanitarian gesture, the broader conflict shows no signs of abating. Just hours before the final exchange, Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the war’s inception, deploying 69 missiles and 298 drones across multiple cities, resulting in at least 12 deaths and numerous injuries.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, stating that each act of aggression by Russia is a sufficient reason for new sanctions. He emphasized that international silence only encourages further aggression from Moscow.
International Reactions
The United States has not issued an official statement regarding the latest exchange. However, previous reports indicate that U.S. President Donald Trump had encouraged negotiations leading to the initial stages of the prisoner swap.
European nations have responded to the recent escalations with renewed sanctions, while diplomatic efforts continue to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Humanitarian Impact
The return of prisoners has brought relief to families on both sides. In Ukraine, emotional reunions were witnessed as soldiers returned home after enduring captivity. However, many families continue to await news of their loved ones, highlighting the ongoing human toll of the conflict.
