On March 19, 2025, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner of war (POW) exchange involving a total of 372 individuals, as reported by the Russian Defence Ministry. Each side released 175 POWs, with Russia additionally handing over 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers as a gesture of goodwill. This swap marks a significant event in the ongoing conflict between the two nations, facilitated through negotiations, though specific mediators were not mentioned in the initial reports from the Russian side. The exchange aligns with a pattern of prior swaps, often brokered by third parties like the United Arab Emirates, which has mediated several such deals in the past. This event reflects continued efforts to address the humanitarian aspect of the war, bringing relief to the families of those returned. Further details, such as the condition of the prisoners or the exact location of the swap, were not immediately specified in the Russian Defence Ministry’s statement.
