In a poignant display of hope and relief, Ukraine and Russia conducted a significant exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) in recent days. Both nations agreed to the exchange of at least 1,200 military personnel from each side, marking a critical step in ongoing negotiations. These exchanges took place in heroic style, with dramatic returns and emotional reunions melting the hearts and inspiring awe among witnesses.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself acknowledged that the exchange would take place in several stages, underlining how complicated the undertaking can prove to be. He acknowledged that the information about the exchanges is delicate and should be cautiously treated. This program is the result of ongoing discussions between Ukrainian and Russian lawmakers. Those talks, held in Istanbul on June 2, set the stage for this historic deal.
The process through the exchange is expected to take more than one day, a testament to the administrative burdens that come with such complex exchanges. The overarching peace accord lays out the return of thousands of corpses home. These bodies are those of people who died as a result of the conflict.
Emotional Reunions
As the newly exchanged Ukrainian prisoners made it back to their homeland, images of jubilation and relief played out. Many of them have been held since the first months of the war. They’ve gone through absolutely devastating pain and suffering, while being miles away from their loved ones. At the same time, new arrivals were transported by specialized bus convoy to a hospital in northeastern Ukraine to undergo medical triage and evaluation.
The newly released troops were given community hospital-level care, including showers, food, and care packages that included cellular phones and footwear. These changes were the product of concerted work to protect their care and welfare after the captivity horror they had experienced.
Ukrainian soldiers told us how deeply relieved they were to get home. One liberated soldier joyfully wrote home to his mother that “Dear mama, I’m there, I’m home! Each family greeted their loved one with visible emotional intensity. Advocates felt they had achieved a major victory after a long and painful struggle.
Russian Perspective
On the same day, Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had freed a similar number of troops. This was further bad news for cities. Footage broadcast by RIA state news agency, on Monday, showed scenes of jubilation as freed Russian service members celebrated their return home. They were seen aboard a coach, raising their hands in the air and shouting: “Hurrah, we’re home.”
These soldiers have just started their recovery process, which takes place in Belarus, and they are now receiving psychological and medical support. That support is intended to make it easier for them to reintegrate into society once they step out of captivity again.
In the end, freed Russian soldiers were clearly happy to be returned home and showed their gratitude. One soldier shared his feelings about the exchange: “It is very difficult to convey what I’m feeling inside now. I’m the happiest, proudest, most grateful human right now. Thank you to each and every one who has played a role both in this process and in getting us over the finish line!
Families Awaiting News
For families such as Oksana Kupriyenko, the exchange involves much more than simply returning military members home. It inspires aspiration for those who remain missing. Oksana across the table, holding an image of her son, Denys, who has been missing since September 2024. With tears in her eyes, she expressed her longing for his return: “Tomorrow is my birthday and I was hoping God will give me a gift and return my son to me.”
The emotional burden on all military families, and those touched by this conflict, should not be overlooked. Others are still waiting for news of their loved ones who are still imprisoned or still missing. The new exchanges represented a much-needed ray of light piercing through the perpetual chaos.
