Russia and Ukraine marked a notable milestone on March 19, 2025, with a significant prisoner exchange involving 175 individuals from each side, deemed one of the largest since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion over three years ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his deep gratitude towards those involved in the exchange, emphasizing the importance of such actions in paving the way for peace and rebuilding trust between the bordering nations.
The types of individuals included in the exchange were a mix of soldiers, sergeants, and officers who fought valiantly for their respective countries in various capacities across military branches, including the Armed Forces, Navy, National Guard, Territorial Defense Forces, and Border Guard Service. Many of the released service members experienced a heavy toll during their captivity, with several having been held in dire conditions in regions such as Mariupol, the Azovstal steel plant, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and even into the Kursk region.
After the exchange took place near the northern border, families of the released prisoners rushed to a hospital in Chernihiv, Ukraine, where the servicemen were taken for medical and psychological assistance. “All of them will immediately receive the necessary medical and psychological assistance,” stated Zelensky in a post on the social media platform X. The urgency and pent-up excitement felt by the families were palpable as they awaited the return of their loved ones.
Among those particularly affected was Aliona Skuibida, who had fought for nearly three years for the safe return of her fiancé, Andrii Orel, captured during the devastating battle for Mariupol in April 2022. On this day of joy, she had prepared blue and yellow balloons and a celebratory cake for his return. “Captivity is not a way to survive,” she poignantly remarked about the psychological impact of imprisonment on fighters.
Another released captive was Oleksandr Savov, 46, who had been missing for nearly three years and lost about 20 kilograms (approximately 44 pounds) in captivity. He expressed profound relief and joy at finally being home. “Until I saw our flag, I couldn’t believe I was home,” he recounted with visible emotion, reflecting on the trauma endured while imprisoned. Oleksandr had also kept in touch with his daughter, who had remained hopeful throughout his absence, regularly writing letters that he never received while in captivity.
On the very day of the exchange, Russia announced its own release of an additional 22 severely wounded Ukrainian captives, alleging that this was a “goodwill gesture.” Zelensky confirmed that these captives were part of a different negotiation process. This comes in the context of ongoing discussions between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, facilitated through phone calls arranged by US President Donald Trump, where they discussed possibilities for a limited ceasefire. The Russian leadership's commitment during these talks included a promise to release 23 prisoners; however, the finalized number changed to 22, creating some confusion regarding the negotiations.
Petro Yatsenko, head of the press office at Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs, emphasized the complexity involved in arranging such exchanges. “These exchanges are not spontaneous events. They take months of careful planning—not just days or weeks,” he informed reporters, pointing to the rigorous effort needed to facilitate prisoner swaps. Notably, the last exchange prior to this event took place on February 5, 2025, demonstrating the significant effort that goes into these humanitarian missions.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, over 4,000 Ukrainian captives, which comprises civilians and foreigners, have been released. This underscores the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by many families whose loved ones remain incarcerated. Reports from the United Nations detail instances of harsh treatment and severe medical neglect meted out to prisoners in confinement, contributing to the urgent call for humane treatment within detention facilities.
As the day of the exchange drew to a close, shared joy, and relief filled the air of the Chernihiv hospital as families saw their loved ones, albeit experiencing the scars of war. “All I want now is peace, a bowl of borscht, a chance to wash, and to lie down in a clean bed,” expressed Oleksandr Savov, painting a vivid picture of the grueling conditions that accompany captivity and the longing for normalcy.
The road ahead remains fraught with uncertainty amidst ongoing conflict, negotiations for a ceasefire, and the looming humanitarian crises resulting from the war. President Zelensky has reiterated the need to push for broader exchanges and peace initiatives to ensure that every captive returns home safely. “Ukraine remembers each of its heroes, and we will bring everyone home,” he assured the families gathered in hopes of brighter days ahead.
