Repatriation is part of an agreement to exchange 1,000 soldiers from each country, linked to a ceasefire brokered by the US in May
Ukraine and Russia carried out a new exchange of prisoners of war this Friday (June 5, 2026). Each side repatriated 185 military personnel, and Ukraine also received 1 civilian.
The operation was the 2nd stage of an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war from each country. The agreement was reached as part of a 3-day ceasefire brokered by the United States in May.
The President of Ukraine, (Servant of the People, center), released information about the exchange on his X profile.
“Among them are those returning after years in captivity in Russia, where they have been detained since 2022. I thank everyone who makes this possible: the team working on the exchanges and our partners. The return of our people is a constant priority for Ukraine”said the Ukrainian president.
According to Zelensky, Russia also returned 1 civilian to the Ukrainian military.
The United Arab Emirates mediated this Friday’s operation. The country had already brokered previous rounds of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the freed Russian soldiers were taken to Belarus, where they receive medical and psychological care. According to the agency, they will later be transferred to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation.
