Ukraine, Russia Plan Largest Prisoner Swap of the War: Over 2,000 to Go Free
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to the largest prisoner exchange of the war, with more than 1,000 people from each side set for release after talks.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Сергій Шведюк / National Guard of Ukraine
KYIV — Ukraine and Russia have agreed to carry out the largest prisoner exchange of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday, with more than 1,000 people from each side expected to be released under a deal reached in United States-brokered talks.
The exchange was agreed in principle during two days of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, where the two delegations met the American envoys. Witkoff and Kushner then briefed Putin in Moscow before flying to Dublin to meet Zelenskyy. “We count on a truly large-scale prisoner exchange, and we take very seriously the wording our American partners are using: that this should be the largest exchange of this war,” Zelenskyy told reporters. “More than a thousand people from each side.”
Key Takeaways
- More than 1,000 prisoners from each side are expected to be freed, making it the largest exchange since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
- The deal was agreed in principle in Abu Dhabi; the White House says preparations have begun, but no date or final number has been announced.
- European representatives are set to join the next round of talks as full members, a step Kyiv has sought for months.
- Zelenskyy also announced a €645 million Danish defence package covering F-16 ammunition and energy assistance.
When Will the Ukraine-Russia Prisoner Exchange Happen?
No date has been set. Zelenskyy said Ukrainian teams, intelligence agencies and special services were working to make the exchange happen, and he expected a report on preparations shortly. The White House has also confirmed that work has started: deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said Witkoff and Kushner had begun preparations for what could be the largest prisoner exchange of the war.
How Many Prisoners Will Ukraine and Russia Exchange?
More than 1,000 from each side, Zelenskyy said. Officials have said the sides discussed 1,000-for-1,000 or even 1,500-for-1,500 formats, putting the total above 2,000 people and past the previous record. In May 2025, Kyiv and Moscow completed a 1,000-for-1,000 swap, the largest until now. The new deal would be larger than any before it, if the numbers now being discussed hold.
| What is known | Detail |
|---|---|
| Expected size | More than 1,000 prisoners from each side |
| Previous largest | 1,000 for 1,000 in May 2025 |
| Where agreed | In principle, at trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi |
| Exchange date | Not announced; terms still being agreed |
| Mediators | US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner |
What the Prisoner Swap Means for Ukraine Peace Talks
The swap is the first concrete outcome of the trilateral format that restarted this week. Zelenskyy said Kyiv had agreed with the American envoys on the next steps, and that Ukraine wants those steps taken together with the United States toward peace and guaranteed security. European representatives are set to join the next round as full members, a step Kyiv has sought for months — although Moscow has not confirmed that it has agreed to Europe's inclusion. Wider gaps remain: the two sides are still far apart on territory, and Russia has refused to discuss sparing Ukraine's power grid from attack. Zelenskyy also raised the Starshield speed limits he says are slowing Ukraine's drone defences.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange take place?
No date has been announced. Ukrainian officials say teams, intelligence agencies and special services are working on preparations, and the White House says work has begun.
How many prisoners will be exchanged?
More than 1,000 from each side, according to Zelenskyy. Formats of 1,000 for 1,000 or 1,500 for 1,500 have been discussed, which would make it the largest exchange of the war.
What was the largest Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange before this one?
A 1,000-for-1,000 swap completed in May 2025. Exchanges have continued through the war, including an agreement in Istanbul in June 2025 to swap seriously wounded soldiers and troops aged 18 to 25.
Will Europe join the Ukraine peace talks?
Kyiv and Washington say European representatives will join the next round as full members. Moscow has not confirmed that it has agreed to Europe's inclusion, and the date of the next round has not been announced.
Ukrainian teams are now preparing the exchange, and a date will be set once the terms are agreed. Witkoff and Kushner have said more talks are planned as negotiators seek a breakthrough.
