PM: Over 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war freed since start of invasion

Over 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been freed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko wrote on X.

Her statement came as 185 more Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity on October 2, including members of the Armed Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Service, and 20 civilians, Caliber.Az reports.

Today, 185 Ukrainians are returning from Russian captivity. Among them are soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Border Guard Service, and 20 civilians. Many have been held since 2022 — after Mariupol, Azovstal, and even Chornobyl.

They are finally home, where… pic.twitter.com/du1fLT6ioE

— Yulia Svyrydenko (@Svyrydenko_Y) October 2, 2025

“Many have been held since 2022 — after Mariupol, Azovstal, and even Chornobyl,” Svyrydenko wrote. “They are finally home, where they will receive every measure of care and support. [...] We will not rest until everyone is home.”

The return took place as part of a coordinated prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, with each side releasing 185 individuals. The exchange followed agreements reached during talks in Istanbul on July 23. It marks one of the largest swaps to date under the ongoing negotiation framework, which prioritises the return of seriously wounded and young soldiers, as well as the repatriation of deceased servicemen.

A previous exchange took place on August 14, with 84 individuals released by each side. That swap was mediated on humanitarian grounds by the United Arab Emirates, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

Humanitarian efforts have also extended to the recovery of the remains of approximately 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers, as reported by Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War in August. Among them were five servicemen who died in captivity and had been listed as “seriously wounded and seriously ill” prior to scheduled exchange.

By Sabina Mammadli