Ukraine and Russia Exchange 103 Prisoners of War Each in Latest Swap

Ukraine and Russia have each sent home 103 prisoners of war, officials from both countries confirmed on Wednesday. The exchange marks the 77th such swap between the two sides since the start of the full-scale war.

The Ukrainian servicemen who returned include members of the National Guard, the Armed Forces, the Navy, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the State Border Guard Service, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

Video footage from the arrival point in Ukraine showed buses carrying the released prisoners pulling in, with families and volunteers waiting to greet them. Several of the returning men were seen wrapped in Ukrainian flags, and emotional reunions were captured on camera.

Among those released was Anton Tymofeenko, 43, who was captured in the Donetsk region and spent 28 months in Russian captivity. "I do not know how I feel, better than during the past 28 months, that is a fact," he said. "This is a great feeling. I do not fully understand where am I, but I know that I am home."

Another released prisoner, Mykhailo Kotrin, 26, who spent 10 months and 20 days in captivity, used the moment to call for more attention to civilians held by Russia. "I want civilians to be exchanged at last," he said. "Civilians have been waiting for many years to be exchanged." Kotrin added that in Toretsk, where he was held, there were 60 civilians who had been waiting for an exchange for four years and three months.

Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, confirmed the return of the 103 servicemen and said another exchange is expected by the end of the month. "Those we are bringing back include our military who have been held in captivity since 2022, including those who are seriously ill," he said. "In the next exchange, we expect the return of our defenders who have been held captive for a long time and who defended Ukraine in Mariupol."

The released prisoners were heard chanting "Glory to heroes, glory to Ukraine" as they gathered after their return.