Moscow sends over a thousand soldier remains to Kiev, receiving 19 in return.
In the midst of an ongoing conflict that has gripped Ukraine since 2022, efforts to exchange prisoners of war (POWs) and repatriate deceased soldiers continue to mark a glimmer of cooperation between Russia and Ukraine.
## Current Status
Direct talks in Istanbul led to the most recent prisoner exchange, which took place in late June 2025. This swap included wounded troops and soldiers with health issues from both sides, though the exact numbers were not disclosed. The exchange was part of agreements signed by the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, and saw Ukraine repatriating 1,000 bodies under an agreement reached in Istanbul. In return, Ukraine handed over 19 bodies of Russian soldiers on July 17, 2025.
## Historical Context
The prisoner exchanges and repatriation agreements were discussed during peace talks in Istanbul in June 2025. Ukraine and Russia agreed to exchange at least 1,000 prisoners each, though a comprehensive "all-for-all" exchange has been resisted by Russia. Over 5,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity since March 2022.
Many of the released Ukrainian POWs were captured during the siege of Mariupol in 2022. The release of these prisoners, often held for over three years, has brought relief to families. However, Russia remains hesitant to adopt a comprehensive prisoner exchange formula.
## Challenges Ahead
Despite these efforts, tensions remain high, and a complete cessation of hostilities has not been achieved. The ongoing repatriation and prisoner exchanges highlight the complex and challenging nature of negotiations between the two countries.
An agreement was reached for the exchange of severely wounded prisoners and those under 25 years old. However, irregularities were reported in the exchange process, including the involvement of Ukrainian prisoners who were already in Russia before the start of the war in 2022.
In recent days, Moscow has repeatedly complained that it is up to Ukraine to set a date for the next meeting. The Kremlin announced that it would only set a date for the next meeting of the delegations after the completion of the prisoner exchanges agreed upon in the second round of negotiations in Turkey.
Ukraine claimed that it had to return several bodies in the sixth exchange because they were of Russian soldiers. Diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine seem to have stalled, with the Kremlin insisting that the completion of prisoner exchanges is a prerequisite for any further negotiations.
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, politics and general-news, such as prisoner exchanges and repatriation agreements, continue to shape the relationship between Russia and Ukraine.
- The recent prisoner exchange in late June 2025, including wounded troops and soldiers with health issues from both sides, underscores the importance of these negotiations amidst the complexities and challenges of the ongoing conflict.