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390 Soldiers Returned as Part of Ukraine–Russia 1,000-for-1,000 POW Exchange
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![Amira_barkhush]( "Photo of Amira Barkhush")
On May 23, Ukraine has launched the first phase of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Russia, bringing 390 Ukrainian defenders home as part of an agreed 1,000-for-1,000 swap.
“Bringing our people home. The first phase of the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange agreement has been carried out. This agreement was reached during a meeting in Turkey, and it is important to fully implement it,” Ukrainian President Volodymtr Zelenskyy wrote.
“Today – 390 people. On Saturday and Sunday – we expect the exchange to continue.”
On May 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated holding a high-level meeting to prepare for the exchange of 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war currently held by Russia. He called the agreement to release POWs the only tangible result from Ukraine-Russia meeting in Türkiye.
Previously, on May 15, the newly elected Pope Leo XIV was handed lists of Ukrainian soldiers currently held in Russian captivity.
A reported published in April 2025 revealed that Russia has established a widespread network of prisons and pretrial detention centers where captured Ukrainians are systematically tortured.
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-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
