Verifying Authenticity of Allegations by Russia Regarding Delays in the Planned Prisoner Exchange between Ukraine
In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a recent claim has surfaced that Ukraine is stalling a prisoner exchange deal agreed in Istanbul on July 23. However, independent sources have yet to provide direct evidence confirming this allegation.
According to Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky, Ukraine refused to accept 1,000 captured Ukrainian soldiers for the prisoner exchange, accepting only two individuals from that group. This statement, however, lacks corroboration from Ukrainian or international sources.
Russia's foreign ministry has amplified these claims across social media, with pro-Kremlin and Kremlin-backed actors also joining in. Even Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported the allegations, citing unnamed military sources.
It's important to note that both Russia and Ukraine have been conducting prisoner exchanges in smaller numbers. The most recent swap, reported in August 2025, saw 84 prisoners exchanged by each side. The two nations had earlier agreed on exchanges involving approximately 1,000 prisoners each.
Ukraine’s leadership has confirmed their willingness to exchange prisoners, including military personnel and civilians, and has thanked international mediators like the UAE for facilitating swaps. The ongoing process of determining the names of prisoners might delay the actual prisoner exchange.
The Ukrainian Centre for Countering Disinformation has firmly rejected the claims, describing the campaign as part of a larger Russian strategy aimed at destabilizing Ukraine's internal situation and disrupting the planned prisoner exchange.
Despite the claims, no evidence has been presented that Russia has captured NATO officers in Ukraine. The release of prisoners of war has been the only real concrete result of talks between both sides since the start of the war in February 2022. The biggest exchange took place in May this year, releasing 390 prisoners by both Ukraine and Russia.
The War in Ukraine and disinformation campaigns remain ongoing issues. Human Rights Watch and the UN have documented that many Ukrainian POWs held by Russia endure severe mistreatment, which strongly motivates Ukraine to seek their release.
President Zelenskyy stated that both sides are preparing to release 1,200 prisoners of war each following the preliminary agreements reached in Istanbul. However, the actual prisoner exchange is yet to take place due to the ongoing process of determining the names of the prisoners to be released.
Euroverify was unable to independently verify the names of the 1,000 alleged soldiers. It's crucial to approach such claims with a critical eye, as the situation remains complex and fraught with propaganda from both sides.
In conclusion, while Russia's allegation of Ukraine stalling the prisoner exchange deal is unverified, it's clear that both sides are working towards releasing prisoners of war. The ongoing conflict, disinformation campaigns, and the importance of prisoner exchanges cannot be overlooked in this complex geopolitical situation.
Politics and general news outlets have been reporting on the ongoing allegations about Ukraine allegedly stalling the prisoner exchange deal, first made by Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky. Additionally, war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice segments have covered the claims amplified by Russia's foreign ministry, pro-Kremlin actors, and Russian state-owned news agency TASS, which lack direct evidence from Ukrainian or international sources.
