Russian Nobel Prize winner advocates for the incorporation of politically imprisoned individuals in Russia-Ukraine negotiations
Prominent Journalist Calls for Comprehensive Civilian Prisoner Exchange
Dmitry Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and editor-in-chief of the Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, has been a vocal advocate for the pardon and exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, particularly focusing on civilian prisoners. He has repeatedly urged Moscow and Kyiv to conduct a civilian prisoner exchange that includes thousands of Ukrainian prisoners, some held incommunicado, and dozens of Russian political prisoners imprisoned for their anti-war views[1].
Muratov's stance emphasizes the importance of humanitarian solutions for the prisoners' situation, suggesting that starting with minors, women, the sick, those with children at home, could save hundreds of lives[1]. While several prisoner exchanges involving combatants, political prisoners, and even civilians have occurred recently, comprehensive civilian prisoner swaps remain a key part of his advocacy[1][2].
In June 2025, Russia and Ukraine conducted prisoner swaps under agreements from peace talks in Istanbul, involving combatants and the return of war dead[2]. Earlier, in August 2024, a major prisoner exchange took place with Russia releasing 16 political prisoners, including opposition figures, under the Biden administration[1]. Other exchanges include a US-Russia swap involving individuals like Marc Fogel and Alexander Vinnik, and a prisoner swap involving dual citizens sentenced in Russia and the US[1].
However, Muratov's previous call was for the exchange of civilians in Ukraine for loyalty to the Russian world, in exchange for those in Russian prisons for opposing the war. To date, there has been no practice of exchange or mutual release of civilians as per his previous call.
In a tragic turn of events, a doctor in Yekaterinburg, with 26 years of experience, has taken her own life and killed her children. The circumstances surrounding her death are not yet clear, and it is unrelated to the ongoing discussions about prisoner exchanges or Muratov's advocacy.
In conclusion, Muratov continues to be a strong advocate for civilian prisoner pardons and exchanges, emphasizing the importance of addressing the plight of incommunicado detainees and anti-war prisoners. While some progress has been made in prisoner exchanges, a comprehensive solution involving civilians remains a key part of his advocacy.
[1] The Guardian. (2022, December 10). Dmitry Muratov calls for prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/10/dmitry-muratov-calls-for-prisoner-swap-between-russia-and-ukraine
[2] Reuters. (2025, June 29). Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war in Istanbul, return of war dead. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-ukraine-exchange-prisoners-war-istanbul-return-war-dead-2025-06-29/
Dmitry Muratov, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, calls for a comprehensive civilian prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of addressing the plight of incommunicado detainees and anti-war prisoners. Despite some progress in prisoner exchanges involving combatants and political prisoners, a solution involving civilians remains a key part of his ongoing advocacy.
