Headlines
Ukraine brings back 200 POWs in latest swap with Russia, zelenskiy says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Ukraine conducted a prisoner swap with Russia on March 5, 2026, returning 200 POWs, including soldiers captured during the early 2022 siege of Mariupol. President Zelenskiy credited mediators and U.S. support for facilitating the exchange.
Ukraine, Russia exchange 200 POWs each in latest swap
Details and Reactions to the Prisoner Exchange
Overview of the Exchange
KYIV, March 5 (Reuters) - Ukraine and Russia exchanged 200 prisoners of war each on Thursday in their latest swap, officials on both sides said, despite a deadlock in U.S.-backed negotiations to end the four-year conflict.
Background and Ongoing Negotiations
Kyiv and Moscow have carried out regular POW exchanges throughout the war, committing during recent talks in Geneva to a new round of such swaps even as negotiations remain stuck over the question of territory.
Statements from Ukrainian Leadership
"Every time our people come home, it proves that Ukraine is working to bring everyone back. No one is forgotten," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on X.
International Mediation and Support
"We involve mediators. I am grateful to everyone who helps Ukraine. I thank the United States for its support in making this exchange possible."
POWs and Their Families
Some of the POWs freed on Thursday were captured as far back as Moscow's siege of Mariupol in early 2022, Zelenskiy added.
Tearful relatives greeted loved ones - many of them draped in Ukrainian flags - as they emerged from a bus that had arrived at an undisclosed location to chants of "Welcome!"
Future Exchanges
The two sides are expected to trade a further 300 POWs each in a second day of exchanges on Friday, officials said.
(Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Yurii Kovalenko; Writing by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Philippa Fletcher and Gareth Jones)
Key Takeaways
- •This marks the 72nd swap since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022; earlier in February Ukraine conducted its first exchange of 2026, freeing 157 people. (kyivpost.com)
- •Many freed were defenders of Mariupol’s Azovstal, emblematic of Ukraine’s commitment to repatriate those held since major early battles. (time.com)
- •Exchanges continue as critical humanitarian gestures amid stalled peace efforts; the U.S. played a supportive role, as noted by Zelenskiy. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Ukraine brings back 200 POWs in latest swap with Russia, Zelenskiy says
1How many Ukrainian prisoners of war were returned in the latest swap?
Ukraine returned 200 prisoners of war in the latest exchange with Russia.
2Who announced the return of the prisoners?
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the return of the prisoners.
3Were any specific groups of troops included in the recent prisoner swap?
Yes, the swap included troops captured in Moscow's siege of Mariupol in early 2022.
4Who supported Ukraine in facilitating this prisoner exchange?
Mediators and the United States supported Ukraine in making the exchange possible.
5What message did Zelenskiy share about returning prisoners?
He stated that every time people come home, it shows Ukraine is working to bring everyone back and that no one is forgotten.
