On May 25, 2025, Ukraine and Russia completed a significant prisoner exchange, each releasing 1,000 individuals over three days. This event, brokered during peace talks in Istanbul earlier in the month, stands as the largest such swap since the onset of the conflict in 2022.(AP News, The Guardian)
Details of the Exchange
The final phase of the exchange saw 303 prisoners from each side returned home. Among the Ukrainians freed were members of the armed forces, National Guard, Border Guard, and Transport Services, including 70 individuals who had defended Mariupol during the 2022 siege. The initial phases included the release of 390 individuals on May 23 and 307 on May 24, encompassing both military personnel and civilians. The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the return of their servicemen, who were temporarily cared for in Belarus before reuniting with their families. (AP News, The Guardian, NPR, Al Jazeera)
Context of the Exchange
Despite this moment of cooperation, the broader conflict remains intense. Just hours before the final exchange, Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Ukraine, deploying 367 drones and missiles across more than 30 cities and villages. This attack resulted in at least 12 civilian deaths and numerous injuries, marking one of the most extensive assaults since the war began. (AP News, The Guardian)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack and criticized the international community’s response, stating that the lack of decisive action emboldens further aggression. He called for stronger sanctions against Russia to deter future attacks. (AP News, The Times)
International Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the aerial assault and indicated that new sanctions against Moscow were under consideration. Trump had recently engaged in a two-hour phone conversation with Putin, discussing potential steps toward peace, and later spoke with Zelenskyy to further explore ceasefire possibilities. (The Irish Sun)
European leaders also voiced strong opposition to the continued hostilities. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for the strongest international pressure on Russia, criticizing its ongoing targeting of civilians and apparent lack of interest in peace. (The Guardian)
Significance of the Swap
While the prisoner exchange represents a rare instance of cooperation between the two nations, it underscores the complexities of the ongoing conflict. The simultaneous occurrence of the exchange and the massive aerial assault highlights the fragile nature of any diplomatic progress. Nonetheless, the successful completion of the largest prisoner swap since the war’s inception offers a glimmer of hope for future negotiations and the potential for more substantial peace efforts.(The Guardian, NPR)
For more information, you can watch the following news segments:
