Ukraine brings home 200 prisoners of war from Russia, larger exchange expected tomorrow
Another prisoner swap with Russia took place (photo: t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
Today, March 5, Ukraine brought home 200 defenders from Russian captivity. Another exchange with an even larger number of prisoners of war will take place tomorrow, the state project Hochu zhit, and a statement by the adviser to Russian President Vladimir Medinsky.
"Today, 200 defenders of Ukraine returned home, and Russia took back 200 of its soldiers. Tomorrow exchange will continue with an even larger number of prisoners of war, Hochu zhit writes.
It is noted that currently the largest number of Russian soldiers for the entire time is held in Ukrainian captivity – this concerns thousands of Russians.
"Even though Russia sends all its exchanged soldiers back to the front again, and an exchange in the format of all for all would allow the Russian Armed Forces to replenish losses comparable to half of a division, Russia still sabotages the exchange," the statement says.
At the same time, Medinsky reported about prisoner of war exchange with Ukraine that will take place on March 5-6, according to agreements reached in Geneva.
He stated about the exchange of 500 for 500 prisoners, tomorrow, March 6, another 300 Ukrainians are expected to return home.
What preceded
Today, March 5, Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange – it became the second in 2026. Two hundred Ukrainians returned home from captivity.
The first prisoner exchange in 2026 took place on February 5. At that time, 157 Ukrainians returned home – 150 military personnel and 7 civilians.
Among those released were servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including representatives of Naval Forces, Ground Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, Air Assault Forces, and Air Forces, as well as fighters of the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service. Both soldiers and sergeants, as well as officers, returned home.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the aggressor country currently holds up to seven thousand Ukrainian prisoners. After negotiations in Geneva, he also reported the possibility of a new exchange in the near future.
In addition, the head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, expressed hope that the next exchange could be larger than the one that took place on February 5.
