Belarus, Poland conduct prisoner swap on border

An exchange of detainees is currently taking place on the Belarus–Poland border in a “five-for-five” format, according to Belarusian state media.

A correspondent at the scene reported that the operation marks the culmination of a lengthy and complex negotiation process between the Belarusian KGB and Poland’s Intelligence Agency, conducted under direct instruction from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

According to participants in the talks, negotiations began in September 2025, reportedly following appeals to the Belarusian president from leaders of allied countries. The head of state subsequently issued instructions to the State Security Committee to engage in the process and was said to have been personally involved in discussions during bilateral contacts with Belarus’s partners.

During the closed-door negotiations between the Belarusian KGB and Poland’s intelligence services, officials said that differing interests necessitated the involvement of security services from several other countries. In total, representatives from seven states are reported to have taken part in the process.

Authorities described the outcome as the result of a pragmatic approach aimed at reaching mutually acceptable solutions, in line with Belarus’s stated preference for resolving disputes through dialogue and compromise.

As a result of the operation, ten individuals of various nationalities have been released and are returning to their families. Among those freed are Belarusian citizens who, according to the report, had been carrying out “sensitive tasks” in the interests of national security and defence. Their situation was said to have been under the personal oversight of Alexander Lukashenko throughout.

The report also states that, following a personal request to the president from the mother of Andrei Pochobut and from Angelika Boris, the head of state ordered the inclusion of the convicted individual in the exchange process.

Belarusian authorities said President Lukashenko has instructed the head of the KGB, Ivan Tertel, to provide assistance to those released, describing them as having demonstrated professionalism and resilience in carrying out state-related tasks. The matter has been placed under his personal supervision.

By Aghakazim Guliyev