In a rare moment of cooperation during one of the bloodiest conflicts in Europe since World War II, Russia and Ukraine each freed 390 prisoners on Friday, marking the beginning of the largest prisoner exchange since the war began in 2022.
The landmark agreement, which will see 1,000 prisoners released by each side, was brokered in Istanbul during the first direct talks between both countries in over three years. Though a ceasefire wasn’t reached, this exchange is a significant step forward — and a flicker of hope in an otherwise brutal war.
On the Ukrainian side, the freed prisoners — 270 soldiers and 120 civilians — arrived by bus in the Chernihiv region in the north. Many were visibly emotional and physically worn. Shaven heads, pale faces, and tattered uniforms painted a vivid picture of their captivity.
“I have no words,” said Oleksandr Nehir, a soldier held in Russian captivity for 22 months. Reuniting with his wife, who traveled from Sumy without knowing he had been freed, he added, “You have to believe every single day. That’s the only way you survive.”
Another soldier, Oleksandr Tarasov from Mykolaiv, was captured on the Kherson front nearly two years ago. “I didn’t believe this day would come,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, the 390 freed Russian prisoners — including soldiers and civilians captured during a Ukrainian raid into Russia’s Kursk region — were welcomed in Belarus, where they received medical and psychological care. Videos released by Russia’s Defence Ministry show some of them smiling through tears. One woman aboard a return bus called it a “gift” and a moment of “happiness.”
A group of released Russian soldiers, draped in both Russian and Soviet flags, shouted “Hurrah!” and declared, “Glory to Russia!”
U.S. President Donald Trump, who reportedly encouraged the recent diplomatic talks, applauded the swap on his Truth Social platform, writing: “Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???”
The war, now in its fourth year, has devastated both countries. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are believed to have been killed or injured, and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives under relentless Russian bombardments.
Despite the breakthrough in negotiations, peace remains elusive. Ukraine reiterated on Friday its willingness to begin a 30-day ceasefire immediately. However, Russia insists that its conditions must first be met — demands Ukraine has labeled as “non-starters.”
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, called the prisoner exchange “the first stage,” and expressed hope for a ceasefire soon. “We hope that the U.S. will support Ukraine in achieving the ceasefire,” he said.
On the ground, the human toll remains evident. Outside the Chernihiv hospital, dozens of people, many of them women holding photos of missing loved ones, waited anxiously for news. Oksana Astapenko, carrying her daughter on her shoulders, fought back tears. “We don’t know if he’s in captivity or not. We’re still hoping. We just want to know something.”
As both sides prepare for the next round of releases, the world watches closely — and hopes that this act of humanity can spark further steps toward peace.
