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Ukraine, Russia Swap 193 Prisoners of War Each in Us, UAE-facilitated Exchange
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 24, 2026
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On April 24, 2026, Ukraine and Russia each released 193 prisoners of war in a reciprocal swap facilitated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates, marking another key step in ongoing humanitarian diplomacy between the warring nations.
Ukraine and Russia Swap 193 Prisoners of War Each in Exchange Assisted by US, UAE
Details of the Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Exchange
Overview of the Exchange
KYIV/MOSCOW, April 24 (Reuters) - Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner of war swap on Friday, sending back 193 captured personnel each in an exchange both sides said was facilitated by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Statements from Ukrainian Leadership
President Zelenskiy's Remarks
"It is important that there are exchanges and that our people are returning home," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a post on Telegram.
Role of International Mediators
His chief of staff, Kyrylo Budanov, and Russia's defence ministry said the U.S. and the UAE had assisted with the exchange.
Background and Context
History of Prisoner Swaps
Russia and Ukraine have conducted many prisoner swaps over four years of war, exchanging thousands of captives in total.
Details on Returned Captives
Conditions and Experiences
Zelenskiy said some of the returned captives, who included soldiers, border guards and police, had injuries, while others had faced criminal charges in Russia.
Emotional Homecoming
In Ukraine, returning captives streamed off buses, many draped in their country's flag and overwhelmed with emotion.
Personal Testimonies
"It still hasn't sunk in that I'm home, I was in captivity for three years ... our Ukrainian sky, our trees -- this is happiness," said Serhiy, a soldier, who gave only his first name.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Max Hunder and Maxim Rodionov, additional reporting by Reuters TV; Editing by Rod Nickel)
Key Takeaways
- •Each side exchanged 193 detainees in a swap brokered by the US and UAE.
- •With this round, UAE-facilitated swaps now total over 6,600 captives returned from both sides.
- •The agreement underscores growing international mediation efforts amid four years of conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ukraine, Russia swap 193 prisoners of war each in US, UAE-facilitated exchange
1How many prisoners did Ukraine and Russia swap?
Ukraine and Russia each exchanged 193 prisoners of war.
2Who facilitated the Ukraine-Russia prisoner swap?
The United States and the United Arab Emirates facilitated the prisoner exchange.
3What types of personnel were included in the prisoner exchange?
The exchange included soldiers, border guards, and police.
4Have Ukraine and Russia conducted prisoner swaps before?
Yes, Ukraine and Russia have conducted many prisoner swaps over four years of war, exchanging thousands of captives in total.
5What was the reaction of returning Ukrainian captives?
Returning Ukrainian captives were overwhelmed with emotion, with some expressing happiness to be home after years in captivity.
