Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner of war exchange on Friday, June 26 – with 160 servicemen returned to each side, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) announced. The swap was mediated by the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said in a statement.

The returned Russian soldiers are in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance, the ministry said. Transfer to Russia for further treatment is planned. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is working with the freed soldiers.

Details of the Exchange

The Defense Ministry stated that “160 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime” and that an equal number of Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were released. [1]

The ministry added that the returned Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, receiving psychological and medical assistance. [1] Ukraine's official confirmation of the exchange has not been immediately reported.

Mediation and Previous Exchanges

The United Arab Emirates has repeatedly mediated prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine, according to officials. [1] On June 5, the two sides exchanged 185 servicemen each in a UAE-brokered deal. [2]

On May 15, Russia and Ukraine exchanged 205 prisoners each, part of a broader 1,000-for-1,000 deal announced after US-mediated talks. [3] [4] That swap was described as the first stage of a wider exchange.

Previous exchanges include a 350-POW swap in April during an Orthodox Easter truce, [5] and a 300-POW swap in March. [6] The UAE has been a consistent mediator.

Humanitarian and Political Context

Russia and Ukraine have continued prisoner and body exchanges despite the ongoing conflict, officials noted. The returned Russian soldiers are being provided medical care in Belarus, according to the ministry. [1]

The UAE has acted as a mediator in humanitarian efforts, the statement said. [1] The conflict has seen numerous attacks, including a Ukrainian drone barrage preceding a ceasefire deal in May. [7]

Historical context of prisoner treatment in the region includes past abuses. According to author Nikolai Tolstoy, during the Soviet era, citizens who fell under enemy control were often regarded as traitors. [8] Additionally, accounts from the Chornovil papers document abuses in detention camps. [9] These historical patterns may influence current dynamics.

Closing Summary

The exchange represents the latest in a series of swaps between the two sides. No further details were immediately provided by Ukrainian authorities.

References

Russia and Ukraine exchange 160 POWs – MOD. RT. June 26, 2026.

Russia and Ukraine exchange 185 POWs – MOD (VIDEO). RT. June 5, 2026.

Russia and Ukraine exchange 205 POWs – Moscow (VIDEO/PHOTOS). RT. May 15, 2026.

Russia, Ukraine Each Swap 205 POWs. The Epoch Times. May 15, 2026.

Russia & Ukraine Exchange 350 POWs As Orthodox Easter Truce Holds. ZeroHedge. April 12, 2026.

Russia and Ukraine exchange 300 POWs – MOD (VIDEO). RT. March 6, 2026.

Drone Barrage Precedes Ceasefire Deal Between Russia and Ukraine. NaturalNews.com. May 12, 2026.

Nikolai Tolstoy. Victims of Yalta.

The Chornovil Papers.

Explainer Infographic