Ukraine Prisoner of War (POW) Exchange Tracker
Documented prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022. The UAE has served as the primary neutral mediator, facilitating most swaps.
Context & Mediation
The United Arab Emirates has served as the primary neutral mediator for prisoner exchanges, leveraging its relationships with both Ukraine and Russia. Saudi Arabia mediated early exchanges in 2022. Qatar joined as co-mediator in 2024. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (COHq) coordinates all exchange logistics. Human rights organizations (ICRC) have documented widespread reports of torture and inhumane treatment of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity.
Exchange Log (21 documented events)
| Date | 🇺🇦 Released | 🇷🇺 Released | Mediator | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2022 | 10 | 10 | Direct | |
| Apr 1, 2022 | 86 | 15 | Turkey | |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 144 | 144 | Saudi Arabia | |
| Sep 21, 2022 | 215 | 55 | Saudi Arabia / UAE | |
| Sep 22, 2022 | 0 | 10 | Saudi Arabia | |
| Nov 17, 2022 | 107 | 107 | UAE | |
| Jan 6, 2023 | 50 | 50 | UAE | |
| Apr 2023 | 130 | 130 | UAE | |
| Jun 2023 | 95 | 95 | UAE | |
| Sep 8, 2023 | 45 | 45 | UAE | |
| Dec 2023 | 230 | 248 | UAE | |
| Feb 2024 | 207 | 207 | UAE | |
| Jun 2024 | 180 | 90 | UAE / Qatar | |
| Aug 2024 | 115 | 115 | UAE | |
| Nov 2024 | 190 | 247 | UAE | |
| Jan 2025 | 303 | 303 | UAE | |
| Feb 2025 | 175 | 175 | UAE | |
| Apr 2025 | 246 | 205 | UAE / Saudi Arabia | |
| Jul 2025 | 180 | 180 | UAE | |
| Oct 2025 | 220 | 226 | UAE | |
| Jan 2026 | 260 | 241 | UAE | |
| TOTAL | 3,188 | 2,898 | ||
Conditions & Human Rights Concerns
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, ICRC, and organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented widespread torture, inhumane conditions, and summary executions of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity. Russian POWs held by Ukraine have generally received better treatment, confirmed by ICRC visits. Ukraine estimates 15,000+ of its soldiers remain in Russian captivity as of early 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Ukrainian POWs are held by Russia?
Ukraine estimates approximately 15,000 of its soldiers remain in Russian captivity as of early 2026. This includes defenders of Mariupol (Azov regiment and marines), soldiers captured during Russian advances in Donetsk and Luhansk, and personnel taken during border incursions. The true number is difficult to verify due to Russia's lack of transparency with the ICRC.
What conditions are Ukrainian POWs held in Russia?
Multiple international organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the UN have documented widespread torture, inhumane conditions, starvation, and summary executions of Ukrainian POWs in Russian detention. The Olenivka prison bombing (July 2022) killed over 50 Ukrainian POWs in Russian custody. Russian refusal to grant regular ICRC access compounds accountability concerns.
How are prisoner exchanges negotiated?
Most exchanges have been facilitated by UAE diplomatic mediation, with Saudi Arabia and Turkey also playing roles. Exchanges typically follow an "all for all" format agreed in principle but implemented gradually, or specific numerical swaps (e.g., 100 for 100). Both sides have used high-value prisoners — such as the Azovstal commanders — as political leverage in negotiations.
What happened to the Azovstal defenders after capture?
The approximately 2,500 Azovstal defenders who surrendered in May 2022 (including Azov Regiment and Ukrainian Marine commanders) were held in Russian-controlled facilities. Senior commanders were held in Russia as strategic "bargaining chips." In September 2022, five senior Azov commanders were exchanged in a special deal brokered by Turkey — they had been held in Turkey as a guarantee and were returned to Ukraine upon exchange.