Official announcements from the governments of Ukraine and Russia, verified news reports

Ukraine and Russia Conduct First Prisoner Swap Since Kursk Offensive, Involving 115 Russian Soldiers

Aug 25, 2024, 12:00 PM

Ukraine and Russia have conducted the first prisoner swap since the recent Kursk offensive. Ukraine released 115 Russian soldiers, who were captured during the operation, in exchange for Ukrainian prisoners of war. The Ukrainian servicemen, many of whom were conscripts, included nearly 50 soldiers captured from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol. The swap was facilitated with the help of the UAE government. An analysis of visual evidence indicates that over 240 Russian soldiers were captured by Ukrainian forces during the Kursk offensive, with many appearing to surrender without resistance.