Ukraine Returns 185 POWs and One Civilian in 75th Prisoner Exchange With Russia
Facilitated by the U.S. and UAE, the swap brings home Azovstal defenders, a helicopter pilot who flew the air bridge to the besieged steel plant, and a father and son captured one day apart in 2022.
The 75th Exchange
Ukraine secured the return of 185 military personnel and one civilian from Russian captivity on June 5, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced, marking the country's 75th prisoner-of-war exchange with Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The swap was conducted on a one-for-one basis, with both countries returning 185 service members each.
The exchange was facilitated with the support of the United States and the United Arab Emirates. The civilian released as part of the swap had been held in Russian captivity since 2022. Russia's returned personnel are currently in Belarus, where they will receive psychological and medical care, according to Russia's Defense Ministry.
The freed Ukrainians include members of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service who fought across multiple front sectors, including Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and the Kursk direction. More than half of those released were captured during the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
Azovstal Defenders, a Father and Son, and an Air Bridge Pilot
Among those who came home are soldiers who defended Mariupol and held out at the Azovstal steel plant, one of the most iconic and grueling episodes of the early war. One of the returned soldiers participated in helicopter missions that formed what was called an "air bridge" to the besieged Azovstal facility, flying at low altitude deep behind Russian lines to deliver weapons, medicine, and reinforcements to troops trapped inside the plant.
All freed personnel will receive medical examinations, treatment, rehabilitation, and essential supplies during the initial period after their return, as well as financial assistance from the government, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs.
Zelensky credited Ukraine's military for making exchanges possible. "Thank you to everyone who makes this possible: the team handling the exchanges, our partners. And special thanks to the soldiers who contribute to our exchange fund through their strength and achievements on the front lines," he said.
Part of the 1,000-for-1,000 Agreement
Friday's swap is the second conducted under an agreement between the two countries to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, brokered as part of a three-day ceasefire agreement facilitated by the United States in early May 2026. Zelensky announced on May 10 that preparations were underway for the larger exchange, and Kyiv provided Moscow with a list of 1,000 prisoners compiled based on the length of time each had been held in captivity.
The prisoner exchange program remains one of the very few functioning channels of communication between Kyiv and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago. Even as diplomatic talks over a ceasefire have stalled and Russia has escalated its aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities, including one of the largest attacks of the war just three days ago on June 2, the exchange mechanism has continued to operate. For the latest on the broader military situation, see our report on Russia's June 2 aerial assault that killed 23 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ukraine secured the return of 185 military personnel and one civilian from Russian captivity. The swap was conducted on a one-for-one basis, with both countries returning 185 service members each. It was facilitated with the support of the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
The freed Ukrainians include members of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service who fought across Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kyiv, and the Kursk direction. More than half were captured in 2022. Among those freed are Azovstal defenders, a helicopter pilot who flew the air bridge to the besieged facility, and a father and son captured one day apart in 2022. The youngest returnee is 26 and the oldest is 62.
The June 5 swap is the second phase of an agreement for Ukraine and Russia to each exchange 1,000 prisoners, brokered as part of a U.S.-facilitated three-day ceasefire in early May 2026. The first phase on May 15 saw 205 exchanged on each side. Ukraine compiled its list of 1,000 prisoners based on the length of time each had been held in captivity.
The June 5, 2026 swap is the 75th prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The prisoner exchange program remains one of the very few functioning channels of communication between Kyiv and Moscow since the invasion began more than four years ago.
Kai Tutor | The Societal News Team
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