Ukraine’s Kursk Incursion Spurs Surge in POW Exchanges With Russia, ISW Reports

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has assessed that Ukraine's operations in the Kursk region are likely increasing Russia's willingness to engage in prisoner exchanges.

On October 18, Ukraine and Russia conducted a one-for-one prisoner of war (POW) exchange, the fourth since the start of Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region in August 2024.

During the latest exchange, Ukraine managed to return 95 Ukrainian defenders from Russian captivity, including the Ukrainian human rights defender, journalist, and military serviceman Maksym Butkevych.

ISW previously noted a significant rise in the frequency of POW exchanges between Ukraine and Russia following Ukraine’s incursion into the Kursk region on August 6. 

Prior to the most recent exchange on October 18, both sides had exchanged a total of 267 POWs across three separate exchanges. In comparison, Russia and Ukraine carried out only three POW exchanges between January 1 and August 6, 2024.

Ukraine is actively advocating for the release of all Ukrainian POWs from Russian captivity. Soldiers who had been through Russian captivity share experiencing harsh and inhumane treatment, which blatantly violates the rules set by international agreements.

On August 24, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the objectives of the Ukrainian military operation in Russia’s Kursk region, which included replenishing the prisoner exchange fund with captured Russian soldiers.