160 Ukrainian POWs released in major exchange with Russia, Zelensky says

What happened

The Kyiv Independent reports that 160 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were released by Russia on June 26 as part of a significant exchange confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry via Kremlin-controlled Ria Novosti. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media that all those freed had been held since 2022, emphasizing Ukraine's ongoing commitment to securing the return of both military personnel and civilians in captivity.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. This exchange follows a previous swap on June 5, which saw 185 Ukrainian POWs return from Russian custody. The recent release comes about a month and a half after former U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans for a large-scale exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side, although that target has not yet materialized. Ukraine has reportedly provided Russia with a list of 1,000 POWs, prioritized by duration of captivity.

Among those freed are Ukrainian soldiers who defended the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol during its fall to Russian forces in May 2022. The released POWs include members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, National Guard, Border Guards, and the State Special Transport Service, highlighting the diversity of forces captured during the protracted conflict.

Known from the source

• 160 Ukrainian POWs were released on June 26 in the latest major exchange with Russia.
• The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the exchange to the Kremlin-controlled news agency Ria Novosti.
• All those released had been held since 2022, according to President Zelensky.
• The exchange included soldiers who defended the Azovstal steel plant before Mariupol fell in May 2022.
• The POWs freed were members of various Ukrainian forces including the Armed Forces, State Special Transport Service, National Guard, and Border Guards.

What remains unclear

This latest swap is notable as part of the limited channels of direct engagement between Kyiv and Moscow amidst ongoing hostilities. It coincides with heightened military activity, including recent Ukrainian drone strikes on military and infrastructure targets in Crimea, and heightened alertness by NATO-member Romania near its border with Ukraine due to Russian drone attacks. Peace talks remain stalled, with reports of waning U.S. interest in continuing high-level diplomatic efforts.

What remains unclear: Verify the exact number and identities of POWs released as sometimes numbers vary between initial reports and official confirmations. Confirm ongoing status of the proposed larger exchange of 1,000 POWs each side and whether any progress has been made beyond the latest swap. Check for independent verification of the details behind the involvement of POWs who fought at Azovstal and other units mentioned. Validate the source and details of recent drone strikes and military activities mentioned near Crimea and Romania.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Kyiv Independent. Open the source.