Major Prisoner Exchange Brings 500 Ukrainian Defenders Back Home
People have gathered, anxiously scanning the horizon for the buses carrying the released prisoners. For many, today is the day they will finally get to embrace their loved ones after years of Russian captivity.
A major prisoner exchange has taken place between Ukraine and Russia on March 5-6, with 500 prisoners of war set to be swapped over two days — 200 for 200, and 300 for 300.
Two freed Ukrainian defenders embrace each other after returning from Russian captivity. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
A freed Ukrainian defender smokes a cigarette while looking into the camera during the second day of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
Freed Ukrainian defenders gather around each other, one of them is lighting the cigarette of another released serviceman. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
A freed defender, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, smokes a cigarette during the exchange. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
This exchange was made possible through recent trilateral negotiations in Geneva, facilitated by the US, between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the defenders home and expressed his gratitude to everyone who made these exchanges possible: “Today, 200 Ukrainian families received the most-awaited message – their loved ones are coming home,” Zelenskyy wrote on X on the first day of the exchange. “This is always good news for all of us, for the entire country: the return of our people to their homeland.”
A portrait of a freed Ukrainian defender, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag, during the exchange. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
A freed Ukrainian defender on the exchange bus is calling his relatives. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
The released servicemen had defended the country across the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia fronts. Among them are the Defenders of Mariupol, who endured nearly four years in captivity. Along with soldiers and sergeants, officers were also successfully freed.
One of the freed defenders opens his arms to the sky then kneels to the ground multiple times. He said he was waiting to return to Ukraine to kneel on its soil. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
One of the freed defenders opens his arms to the sky then kneels to the ground multiple times. He said he was waiting to return to Ukraine to kneel on its soil. March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
At a further location, ambulances arrive, transporting those who need the most urgent medical care. Shortly after, several buses pull in. The crowd greets the freed with cheers of “Welcome back,” thanking them for their service and celebrating their return home.
A released Ukrainian serviceman is getting outside one the ambulances during the 200 for 200 prisoner exchange on March 5, 2025, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
A big scar is seen on the head of one of the released Ukrainian serviceman near one the ambulances during the 200 for 200 prisoner exchange on March 5, 2025, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
Among the crowd are families still searching for loved ones missing in action. With hope in their hearts, they attend each exchange, carrying photos in the hope that someone might recognize them and bring their loved ones home.
A woman stands holding the photos of two of her loved ones during the first day of the exchange, March 5, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
A woman holds the photo of her loved one during the first day of the exchange, March 5, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
This was the second exchange of the year, following the February 5th swap, when 150 Ukrainian defenders and 7 civilians returned home.
A woman receives the news of the exchange of her husband during the first day of the prisoner exchange, March 5, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
A person shows the photo of their loved one to one of the released, hoping for any information, March 5, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Dmytro Ivanov/UNITED24 Media
Thousands of Ukrainian servicemen and civilians remain in Russian captivity. While the exact number of hostages is unknown, Ukrainian officials estimate that tens of thousands of civilians and about 8 thousand Ukrainian soldiers are being held by Russia.
A released defender makes a snow angel after being freed from Russian captivity, March 6, 2026, undisclosed location, Ukraine. Photo by Mykyta Shandyba, UNITED24 Media
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