Russia-Ukraine swap 160 PoWs each on June 27, UAE mediates
Synopsis
Russia and Ukraine swapped 160 prisoners of war each on 27 June — the 76th such exchange since 2022 and the latest tranche under an Istanbul agreement for 1,000-each swaps. With the UAE quietly brokering every major exchange, Abu Dhabi has become the conflict's most reliable humanitarian back-channel.
Key Takeaways
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 160 prisoners of war each on 27 June 2025 .
This was the 76th prisoner swap between the two sides since the conflict began in 2022 .
The UAE provided humanitarian mediation that facilitated the exchange.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed released Ukrainians had been held since 2022 , including members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard Service.
Following Istanbul talks on 16 May 2025 , both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each — the largest such deal since the war began.
Recent swaps: 185-for-185 in June, 205 in May, 150-for-150 in February, and 195-for-195 in January 2024.
Russia and Ukraine exchanged 160 prisoners of war each on Friday, 27 June 2025, in the latest in a long series of wartime swaps, both countries' authorities confirmed. The exchange, facilitated through humanitarian mediation by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marks the 76th prisoner swap between the two sides since the conflict erupted in 2022.
What Happened in the Exchange
The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed that 160 Russian service members were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory, while an equal number of Ukrainian prisoners of war were handed over in return. The returned Russian personnel are currently receiving medical and psychological assistance in Belarus before being transferred to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the exchange on Telegram, noting that the released Ukrainians had been held captive since 2022. "Those released include members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard and the State Border Guard Service," Zelensky said.
UAE's Role in Humanitarian Mediation
The UAE has emerged as a consistent back-channel facilitator in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. "The UAE assisted in the return of the Russian servicemen from captivity through humanitarian mediation," the Russian Defence Ministry stated. This is not the first time Abu Dhabi has played this role — a January 2024 exchange of 195 servicemen from each side was also brokered by the UAE.
Notably, Russian human rights ombudsperson Yana Lantarova met with her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitry Lubinets, on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border to continue humanitarian dialogue, according to reports citing Russia's state media.
Pattern of Exchanges Since 2022
Friday's swap is part of an accelerating rhythm of prisoner exchanges. In June 2025, Russia and Ukraine had already carried out a 185-for-185 exchange, while May 2025 saw 205 prisoners of war swapped. In February 2025, 150 prisoners from each side were exchanged, and in January 2024, 195 servicemen each were returned.
The most significant development in this trajectory came after direct negotiations in Istanbul on 16 May 2025, when Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each — the largest single prisoner swap since the war began in 2022.
What This Signals
The regularity of these exchanges — now numbering 76 in total — suggests a sustained, if narrow, humanitarian channel remains open even as the broader conflict continues. Each swap has involved third-party facilitation, underscoring the absence of direct bilateral trust between Moscow and Kyiv. The UAE's repeated role points to its growing stature as a neutral interlocutor in global conflict diplomacy.
With the Istanbul agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners each still being implemented in tranches, further swaps are expected in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Reflecting Moscow's and Kyiv's shared distrust of Western intermediaries. The Istanbul agreement for 1,000-each swaps is the most ambitious commitment yet, but it is being implemented in small tranches, suggesting neither side is ready to move faster than the conflict allows. The real question is whether this humanitarian channel can eventually widen into a broader ceasefire framework — or whether it remains a pressure valve that makes prolonged war more sustainable for both sides.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many prisoners of war did Russia and Ukraine exchange on 27 June 2025?
Russia and Ukraine each exchanged 160 prisoners of war on 27 June 2025. The swap was the 76th such exchange between the two countries since the conflict began in 2022.
Who mediated the Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap on 27 June 2025?
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) provided humanitarian mediation that facilitated the exchange. The UAE has brokered several previous swaps, including a 195-for-195 exchange in January 2024.
What did Zelensky say about the released Ukrainian prisoners?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Telegram that the released Ukrainians had been held captive since 2022. He said those freed included members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the State Special Transport Service, the National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service.
What is the largest prisoner swap agreed between Russia and Ukraine?
Following direct negotiations in Istanbul on 16 May 2025, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each — the largest single prisoner swap deal since the conflict began in 2022. Friday's exchange is part of the ongoing implementation of that agreement.
How frequently have Russia and Ukraine been swapping prisoners?
The exchanges have been regular throughout 2025: a 185-for-185 swap in June, 205 prisoners exchanged in May, 150-for-150 in February, and 195-for-195 in January 2024. Friday's swap was the 76th overall since 2022.
