Russia and Ukraine swap 200 POWs each; 300 more expected

Mar 20th 2026

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 200 prisoners each in a swap facilitated by the UAE and the US, with Moscow saying the freed Russians were moved to Belarus for care and that 300 more POWs are due to be released on March 6.

  • 200 Russian servicemen and 200 Ukrainian personnel were exchanged, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
  • The 200 Russian POWs were transferred to Belarus for medical and psychological care before being moved to Russian hospitals.
  • The United Arab Emirates and the United States helped facilitate the swap, US special envoy Steve Witkoff said.
  • Russia's senior negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said 300 more POWs will be released by each side on March 6.
  • Earlier in the month both sides exchanged 157 troops each and Moscow reported three civilians returned after a 2024 incursion into Kursk.