Russia announced on Sunday, May 25, that it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Ukraine — marking the second massive prisoner swap in less than a week and concluding what has become the largest exchange between the two nations since the full-scale war began.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the exchange was carried out in line with agreements reached in Istanbul on May 16. “In accordance with the Russian-Ukrainian agreements reached in Istanbul, the Russian and Ukrainian sides have over the weekend carried out the exchange of 1,000 people for 1,000 people,” the ministry said in a statement.
The high-level exchange is part of mounting international efforts to reduce tensions and push for a ceasefire amid one of the most protracted and devastating conflicts in Europe since World War II.
The prisoner swap takes place against the backdrop of a conflict that erupted in February 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing security concerns over NATO’s eastward expansion and alleged discrimination against Russian-speaking populations in Ukraine. Since then, tens of thousands of people have died, cities have been flattened, and millions of Ukrainians have been displaced.
Russia and Ukraine complete largest POW swap ever
Moscow and Kiev exchanged 303 more servicemen on Sunday, bringing the total to 1,000 for 1,000, the Russian Defense Ministry has said pic.twitter.com/o6wO0hP1Ib— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) May 25, 2025
Despite various diplomatic efforts, including talks brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, no sustainable peace agreement has been reached. Frontlines have hardened particularly in Ukraine’s eastern regions, including Donetsk and Luhansk, where much of the fiercest fighting continues to rage.
This latest exchange comes on the heels of another massive swap earlier in the week, where both sides released over 600 prisoners each. The cumulative exchanges now total over 1,000 soldiers returned to their respective countries within a matter of days — a rare sign of cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv amid a brutal war marked by deep mistrust and heavy casualties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office confirmed the latest exchange and released images of returning soldiers, many of whom had been captured during battles in Mariupol, Bakhmut, and other heavily contested zones. Some of the freed Ukrainians appeared emaciated and emotionally overwhelmed, reflecting the harsh conditions of their captivity.
For its part, Russia welcomed home its returning servicemen with televised footage showing military officials greeting them and pledging continued support for Russian troops on the frontlines.
