Turkey, Russia and Ukraine meeting
Share this @internewscast.com
Russia and Ukraine have undertaken the initial phase of what is projected to be the largest prisoner swap since the outset of the conflict, with nearly 800 individuals released on Friday.

This exchange commenced on Friday and is set to continue through Saturday and Sunday, with Kyiv and Moscow anticipated to exchange 2,000 individuals – 1,000 from each side.

Turkey, Russia and Ukraine meeting
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, center, chairs a trilateral meeting between Turkey, Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16. (Anadolu/Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

“We are bringing our people home,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X, noting that 390 people returned to Ukraine on Friday. He mentioned the group comprised 270 military personnel and 120 civilians.

The Ukrainian Coordination Centre for Treatment of Prisoners of War said three women and 387 men were among those released on Friday.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement that “270 Russian servicemen and 120 civilians” were returned to Russia.

The civilians were reportedly captured by Ukrainian forces in Kursk, the Russian region where Ukraine executed a surprise incursion last summer. Russia has succeeded in reclaiming most of that territory since then.

As in previous exchanges, the released prisoners were brought to a meeting place in several buses after being released by Russia at the Ukrainian border. Many were given Ukrainian flags at the border.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that 390 people arrived back to Ukraine on Friday. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

At the same time, Russian soldiers who have been taken prisoner by Ukraine were handed over to Russian authorities at the border.

On the Ukrainian side, dozens of people waited for hours to greet the returnees at a meeting place in Chernihiv region in northern Ukraine, many hoping to see their family members among those being brought back.

Many brought Ukrainian flags and photographs of their loved ones – in case any of the returnees would recognise them and give them information about their whereabouts.

As they waited, air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine, indicating that a Russian attack could be imminent.

Family members of Ukrainian prisoners
Family members of Ukrainian prisoners hold banners and photos of servicemen in captivity ahead of an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Friday, May 23, 2025 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been snatched by Russian authorities in occupied Ukraine and deported into Russia where they have been held without charge or trial.

Their status is complicated – because they have been detained illegally, Ukraine sees them as civilian hostages.

Russia has, in some cases, claimed that they should be recognised as prisoners of war – something Kyiv has been reluctant to do because it could put civilians living in occupied areas of Ukraine at risk of being arbitrarily detained.

Agreement struck at the Istanbul meeting

As with previous exchanges, Ukrainian and Russian authorities were not expected to publicly state that it was taking place until after it had been completed.

However, US President Donald Trump broke that convention on Friday, announcing the swap on social media as it was unfolding.

Family members of Ukrainian prisoners
Family members of Ukrainian prisoners hold banners and photos of servicemen in captivity ahead of an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, in Chernyhiv region, Ukraine, Friday, May 23, 2025 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

The Istanbul meeting was initially proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to a ceasefire-or-sanctions ultimatum given to Moscow by Kyiv’s European allies – which many saw as a clear attempt by the Kremlin leader to distract and delay.

But while the return of hundreds of Ukrainian detainees will come as a huge relief to their families and loved ones, it remains somewhat underwhelming as the only tangible outcome of the highly touted meeting.

Prisoner swaps have been happening regularly, most recently earlier this month.

Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, a government department, said the exchange on May 7, which saw more than 200 Ukrainian service members return home, was the fifth swap this year and the 64th since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said in a statement that “270 Russian servicemen and 120 civilians” were returned to Russia. (AP)

The department said at the time that at 4757 Ukrainian citizens have been released since March 2022.

Ukraine and its allies demanded that Russia agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Istanbul, but that did not happen.

Kyiv also offered direct talks between Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
FILE - This photo provided by the North Korean government, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, delivers a speech during a national meeting against the coronavirus, in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Aug. 10, 2022. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)

Kim Jong Un’s Influential Sister States North Korea Has ‘No Desire’ for Dialogue with South Korea

The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rebuffed an…

Tour de France: Pogačar Secures Fourth Victory as Van Aert Triumphs in Intense Final Stage

Tadej Pogačar completed an exceptional 21-day performance to secure the Tour de…

The Enigma of Tibet’s Disappeared Monk: 30 Years Later

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is one of the most famous missing persons in…

What Are the Key Factors Behind Western Australia’s Rental Crisis?

Elizabeth Wright parks her ute beneath the shade of a tree at…
Israel begins daily pause in Gaza fighting to allow 'minimal' aid

Israel Initiates Daily Ceasefire in Gaza for Essential Aid Distribution

The Israeli military on Sunday began a limited pause in fighting in…
Blair Kinghorn and Finn Russell celebrate at full time after the win in Melbourne

Finn Russell Calls on Lions to Dominate and Aim for Clean Sweep Against Australia

FINN RUSSELL is encouraging the British and Irish Lions to conclude their…
A photo of crowds at the Netley Marsh Steam and Craft Show in Southampton, England.

Woman Seriously Injured in Unfortunate Accident at UK Fair

An 18-year-old girl has been left with “life-changing” head injuries after a…
Polling Day Imagery, Australian Electoral Commission, voting in Australia

Why Allowing 16-Year-Olds to Vote Matters for Australia’s Next Election

Politicians in Australia have thrown support behind allowing 16- and 17-year-olds have…
Esraa Abu Halib shows to journalists a photo of her 5-month-old baby, Zainab, who died from malnutrition-related causes, according to the family and the hospital, as she stands outside the Nasser Hospital, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga)

Tragic Loss: Gaza Child’s Passing Highlights Dire Food Crisis

Some readers may find the details in this story distressing A mother…
They're at the heart of health care and part of an $8 billion election pledge but the most comprehensive report card on whether your family will see a GP for free has been revealed.

Report Forecasts Increase in Nationwide Bulk Billing GP Clinics

Integral to health care and a key aspect of an $8 billion…

Four individuals living in Australia now have arrest warrants and rewards set for their capture in Hong Kong.

Four Australian residents are now facing overseas arrest warrants issued by Hong…
Mornington Peninsula locals have lost a six-year fight to stop the development of a fast-food restaurant just metres away from the foreshore.

Residents Defeated in Battle Against McDonald’s in Coastal Suburb

Mornington Peninsula locals have lost a six-year fight to stop the development…