Hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers return home from Russian captivity in one of the largest prisoner exchanges of the war, just in time for Orthodox Easter celebrations.

At a Glance

• Ukraine secured the release of 277 soldiers from Russian captivity in a major prisoner swap
• The United Arab Emirates mediated the exchange, earning gratitude from President Zelenskyy
• Released prisoners included defenders of Mariupol and soldiers from various contested regions
• This marks the 63rd prisoner exchange since the war began, bringing the total number of Ukrainians retrieved to 4,552

Diplomatic Breakthrough Before Easter

Ukraine successfully negotiated the return of 277 soldiers from Russian captivity in a major prisoner swap that occurred just ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrations. The exchange included 246 Ukrainian service members released as part of the formal swap, with an additional 31 soldiers secured outside the main exchange mechanism.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the significance of the swap as families were reunited during the important religious holiday. The exchange marks the 63rd prisoner swap between the warring nations since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The released personnel represent a cross-section of Ukraine’s fighting forces, including defenders of Mariupol and soldiers who fought in hotly contested regions such as Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk.

Among those freed were nine officers and 268 privates and sergeants, with a significant number coming from Ukraine’s Marine Corps. This exchange follows a previous swap on March 19 that saw 175 Ukrainian defenders returned home, continuing the ongoing efforts to retrieve captured personnel.

Russia and Ukraine have carried out a new prisoner exchange, with both sides confirming that the operation was facilitated by mediation from the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the core exchange followed a “246 for 246” format. In addition,… pic.twitter.com/SczLHNkRVb

— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) April 19, 2025

UAE’s Critical Mediation Role

The United Arab Emirates played a crucial role in facilitating this significant prisoner exchange, acting as neutral mediator between the Ukrainian and Russian governments. Their diplomatic intervention allowed for successful negotiations that resulted in hundreds of Ukrainian defenders returning home to their families after enduring captivity. The UAE’s involvement demonstrates the importance of third-party diplomatic channels in achieving humanitarian outcomes amid the ongoing conflict that has now entered its third year.

“I thank everyone who made this return of our people possible, I am especially grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their mediation.”, said President Zelensky.

President Zelenskyy’s public expression of gratitude to the UAE highlights the growing diplomatic role of Middle Eastern nations in European security matters. This successful mediation comes as Ukraine continues to seek international support for its proposal of an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange with Russia, which would potentially free thousands more Ukrainian personnel and civilians still held in Russian detention facilities.

The Ongoing Human Cost of Conflict

While this prisoner exchange represents a significant humanitarian achievement, it also underscores the tremendous human toll of the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian officials have not disclosed the total number of their military personnel currently held in Russian captivity, but reports indicate that more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians remain detained by Russian authorities. These figures highlight the scale of the humanitarian challenge that remains despite the successful return of these 277 defenders.

The exchange coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire over the Orthodox Easter weekend. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has managed to secure the return of 4,552 people from Russian captivity through persistent diplomatic efforts. These exchanges provide rare moments of joy and relief amid the continuing hardships of a war that shows few signs of resolution as it enters its third year.