Kyiv, 19 August 2026 (Ghufran): Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 103 prisoners of war each, officials from both sides confirmed on Wednesday, with Ukrainian intelligence indicating that another exchange is expected before the end of the month. Russia and Ukraine have carried out regular prisoner exchanges throughout the war that began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, despite remaining far apart over the terms of a potential peace agreement.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Ukrainians released in the latest exchange included servicemen from the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard. On the Russian side, Interfax news agency, citing the Russian Ministry of Defence, also confirmed the prisoner exchange.

One of the Ukrainian returnees, 29-year-old Dmytro, who had been held captive for three years, told Reuters that he was grateful to have returned home. He also urged the families of those still in captivity to remain hopeful. Another Ukrainian serviceman, 43-year-old Anton Tymofienko, who spent 28 months in captivity, recalled receiving very limited information during his detention, saying that letters from relatives were among the few sources of contact. Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Oleh Ivashchenko said another prisoner exchange was expected before the end of the month.He said the next exchange could include Ukrainian defenders who have been held for a prolonged period, including those who fought in the defence of the port city of Mariupol, which was besieged by Russian forces early in the war.