Ukraine's Kursk operation delivers massive boost to POW exchange fund, General Staff says
Photo: The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to replenish the exchange fund (t.me/landforcesofukraine)
In August of last year, the Defense Forces of Ukraine launched an offensive operation in Russia's Kursk region. During this operation, the Ukrainian military added nearly 1,000 people to the exchange fund, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informs.
"To free our people from enemy dungeons, the Defense Forces relentlessly fill the exchange fund with Russian soldiers and officers," the statement said.
The General Staff noted that the Kursk offensive operation has been the most effective in this regard.
"From August 6, 2024, to May 25, 2025, our defenders captured 971 servicemen from the Russian Armed Forces," the post said.
They also emphasized that the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue active operations in the Kursk region.
Prisoner swap
During talks in Türkiye on May 16, Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to a large-scale prisoner swap on a 1,000-for-1,000 format.
Over the last three days — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — this process was successfully carried out. Today, 303 Ukrainian defenders returned home.
"The third part of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange, agreed upon in Türkiye, has been completed," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Additionally, today, Andrii Yusov, Representative of the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, reported that after completing the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange, Ukraine is already working on the next operations.
