Ukraine and Russia exchanged 185 prisoners of war each on June 5, 2024 [1], [3].
This exchange represents a critical step in a broader agreement to repatriate thousands of captives, signaling a rare point of operational coordination between the warring nations despite ongoing hostilities.
In addition to the 185 soldiers, one Ukrainian civilian was returned home [2]. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said another 185 Ukrainian defenders were returning from Russian captivity [4].
The returned Ukrainians were received at Kyiv International Airport and other locations, including the Chernihiv region [5]. Upon their arrival, the freed prisoners sang the national anthem and shouted with joy [6].
Russian officials said 185 Russian POWs were also returned [1]. These prisoners were transported to Belarus to receive medical care [5].
Ukrainian officials said the exchange was the result of work by the Joint Center for the Coordination of the Search and Release of Prisoners of War, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and other authorized bodies acting on the instructions of the president [7].
This specific swap serves as the second stage of a larger 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange framework agreed upon by both sides [2], [8].
“Another 185 Ukrainian defenders are returning home today from Russian captivity.”
The execution of a phased, large-scale swap suggests that both Kyiv and Moscow are maintaining a functional diplomatic channel specifically for humanitarian exchanges. By adhering to a structured 1,000-for-1,000 framework, both militaries are prioritizing the recovery of personnel, which serves as a vital morale boost for domestic audiences and soldiers in the field.
