Now, Ukraine and Russia are on the cusp of a historic deal. They will release 2,000 prisoners in total, with each side releasing 1,000 prisoners back to one another. This exchange is an important step toward addressing the vast humanitarian crisis spurred by the endless cycle of violence. It’s the biggest exchange of prisoners we’ve witnessed since the start of this war. Key negotiators from Ukraine and Russia convened in Istanbul last week with the aim of hammering out a new deal. This is a significant step in negotiations that started in earnest following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Istanbul meeting was the make-or-break moment. It was the first in-person contact between Ukrainian and Russian authorities since Russia launched an all-out invasion. Though tense, discussion on the Ukrainian side prioritized the exchange of prisoners. They called for a broader agreement that entailed an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. However, this demand was never met during the course of negotiations, raising many unanswered questions about what the future holds for U.S. diplomatic endeavors.
The deal that was meant to begin the prisoner exchange began on Friday and continued over the weekend. By the end of that first day of exchanges, 390 people had been sent back to Ukraine. For one flight, on May 7, over 200 Ukrainian service members were sent back home. The news was first shared by the Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. The first such release due to the war, it included 270 military personnel and 120 civilians. Most of these men had already been recaptured at various times during the war.
In the time since, Ukraine has managed to March 2022 negotiated the release of 4,757 citizens. This accomplishment is a testament to the government’s continued dedication to protecting its citizens’ liberty. The recent exchanges reflect Ukraine’s stance that many Russian soldiers held captive should be treated as civilian hostages due to their illegal detention by Russian forces. This view continues to be a sticking point between the two countries.
After being liberated with the rest of Kherson, returned Ukrainian prisoners were welcomed home with tearful reunions. Most wore yellow and blue bracelets, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, which spoke of their optimism and love of country. In the Chernihiv region, hundreds of family members and supporters awaited them at the border. Here they waited for hours to greet their returning loved ones, a reminder of the personal costs of war. The battalion’s look — Ukrainian flags visible, blue-and-yellow wristbands worn by many of the returnees — drove home the growing atmosphere of national pride and solidarity.
The exchange is the fifth such swap this year and the 64th since Russia’s full-scale invasion started. As every family reunion ends with a temporary wistfulness, so does each handoff harbor an undercurrent of joy tinged with deep sadness. In the meantime, others continue to suffer in terror for their disappeared family members. These exchanges are incredibly charged emotional moments where the human cost of this unending war comes into searing focus. They simultaneously inspire hope for upcoming negotiations.
Though most freed prisoners told stories of thankfulness for being back on Haitian soil, others shared traumatic experiences about what their captivity entailed. According to recent news accounts, Russia is attempting to characterize some of its detained Ukrainian civilians as prisoners of war. Ukraine has firmly denied this accusation. This difference of opinion further complicates what is already a tense and highly charged bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Both sides are equally and actively trying to figure out this new and complex world. The recent prisoner exchange serves as a reminder of the critical importance of sustained dialogue and humanitarian concern during the conflict. The whole international community stands ready to encourage and support any real movement towards a peaceful resolution. They are especially listening to Ukraine and their allies, who are sounding the alarm for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
