Russia, Ukraine start new prisoner swap in Belarus

June 9, Pozirk. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine under agreements reached at the Istanbul talks on June 2.
The returned Ukrainians include those seriously wounded and soldiers under 25, Zelensky said. Writing on Telegram, Zelensky said: “The process is quite complicated, there are many sensitive details, negotiations continue virtually every day.”
The Ukrainian president said that the agreements on humanitarian issues reached during the meeting in Istanbul are expected to be fully implemented. He emphasized the importance of returning every prisoner of war, noting that efforts are being made at all levels to achieve this goal. He also expressed gratitude to those who contribute to these efforts.
The Russian defense ministry reported the transfer of a similar number of prisoners under 25 to Russia. Like Zelensky, it did not specify the number, describing them as “the first group.” It said the Russian soldiers are already in Belarus.
In May, Russia and Ukraine agreed on the largest prisoner exchange since the beginning of the war —1,000 for 1,000.
In 2024, Russian media reported 12 exchanges were reported with Russia securing the release of 535 soldiers. In 2025, five exchanges took place, with 800 Russian prisoners released.
Russia and Ukraine last swapped POWs in Belarus on May 6, with each side returning 205 people. Also in 2025, each side transferred 246 people to the other on April 19 (in addition 31 wounded were sent to Ukraine in exchange for 15 Russians who needed urgent medical care), 175 on March 19 (not counting 22 seriously wounded returned to Ukraine) and 150 on February 5.
More like this: Russia refuses to exchange Belarusian POWs – Zelensky
- PoliticsRyžankoŭ meets with Botswana’s top diplomatThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Politics, SecurityZapad-2025 moved inland, scaled down, Łukašenka confirmsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkrainian man sentenced to six years for attempting to smuggle draft dodger to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics, SecurityPoland’s Tusk calls for tougher measures to stop asylum seekersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBelarus’ deficit in goods trade widens to $2.6 billion in January-MayThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Security, SocietyDrones, energetic materials new majors in Belarusian higher educationThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Politics, SecurityŁukašenka accuses West of militarization ahead of Zapad 2025 drillThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyPrivate companies’ overdue loan debt rises six-fold year on yearThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyIndividuals’ overdue debt on loans up 23.6 percentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityDead Eritrean found near shared border with Latvia, Belarus saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Germany news, PoliticsGerman MPs join For a Democratic Belarus group’s new lineupThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyPutin’s crony delivering goods from occupied Ukraine to BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: concerns grow over jailed pundit Kaściuhova’s healthThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyLibyan delegation in MinskThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUpper house approves fines for vegetable shortagesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsŁukašenka says Belarusians should be grateful to his government for staying out warThe material is available only to POZIRK+