Russia and Ukraine exchanged 146 prisoners of war from each side on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in a swap mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Russia’s Defense Ministry said the released Russian servicemen were taken to Belarus for medical and psychological care, and that eight civilians from Russia’s Kursk region were also returned. Ukraine’s president confirmed the exchange on his official channels and thanked the UAE for its role.
In brief statements, both sides framed the swap as part of ongoing humanitarian arrangements that have continued through periodic negotiations. The UAE’s foreign ministry said its mediation covered a total of 292 captives in this round. Ukraine’s announcement emphasized that the group included soldiers and civilians, many held since 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X : “Today, our people are returning home. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Service and civilians. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022.” We are returning home journalist Dmytro Khylyuk, who was kidnapped in the Kyiv region in March 2022. Finally, he is home, in Ukraine.”
“Exchanges continue. And perhaps this is thanks to our soldiers who replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine. Our team that works every day. Partners who help. Thank you to the UAE for your help. Thank you to everyone who, with their work, makes it possible for our people to return, Zelenskyy added.
The exchange follows the latest in-person talks in Istanbul on July 23, where Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the delegations agreed to work toward exchanging at least 1,200 prisoners from each side, according to Reuters’ reporting from the session. Large-scale swaps remain one of the few areas where both countries have kept channels open despite continued fighting.
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