Moscow and Kyiv Swap 300 POWs

March 6, 2026

A released prisoner of war (POW) wrapped in a Ukrainian national flag walks past families holding portraits of their missing or captured relatives, upon his arrival following a prisoner exchange in the Chernygiv region on March 5, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and Russia each freed 200 prisoners of war, the first part of an exchange that will see them swap 500 people each in total, officials said. (Photo by Genya SAVILOV / AFP)

Russia and Ukraine completed the second round of a prisoner-of-war (POW) swap on Friday, with each side exchanging 300 soldiers.

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed the handover, marking a return of 500 soldiers to their respective homes over two rounds. The deal, which also involved negotiations between the United States and the United Arab Emirates, was initially agreed upon during trilateral talks held in Geneva last month.

This video grab taken from a handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 6, 2026, shows Russian prisoners of war (POWs) boarding a bus following an exchange of prisoners at an undisclosed location in Belarus. (Photo by Handout / Russian Defence Ministry / AFP)

According to Russia’s Defence Ministry, “Three hundred Russian servicemen have been returned. In exchange, 300 prisoners of war of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been handed over.” This exchange follows a similar swap on Thursday, where both countries released 200 soldiers each.

The prisoner swaps have become one of the few instances of cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv amidst the ongoing war. These exchanges have been actively facilitated by the United States, which has played a crucial role in mediating the talks.

The U.S. has been striving to broker a broader peace deal, although negotiations seem to have reached a standstill. With the ongoing conflict showing few signs of resolution, Washington has redirected much of its focus to developments in the Middle East.

Despite the limited nature of these agreements, the exchanges represent a rare glimmer of diplomacy between the warring sides. While the path to peace remains uncertain, these POW swaps offer a sign of hope that dialogue, though minimal, is still possible.

Author

Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.