Zelenskyy on prisoner exchange: “We are bringing our people home"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the first stage of a significant prisoner exchange with Russia, calling it a crucial step in bringing Ukrainians home. The deal, agreed upon during recent negotiations in Istanbul, follows the “1000-for-1000” formula and aims to exchange a total of 1,000 Ukrainian captives for 1,000 Russian prisoners.

“We are bringing our people home. The first stage has been carried out. Today – 390 people. On Saturday and Sunday, we expect the exchange to continue,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media on Friday. He emphasized the importance of verifying every name and detail, and vowed to continue diplomatic efforts to ensure no Ukrainian remains in captivity.

According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, 270 service members and 120 civilians were freed in this initial phase. The released soldiers represent multiple branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including the Navy, Air Assault Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.

“These defenders fought in key regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, and took part in battles in Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kyiv regions,” the headquarters reported.

Among the freed individuals are 387 men and three women. Some had been held since 2022, according to Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office.

The landmark agreement was reached during the first in-person meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in three years, held in Istanbul on May 16, 2025. It marks a rare moment of cooperation amid the ongoing conflict and is being closely watched by international observers.

Further exchanges are expected to continue throughout the weekend.