Ukraine's defence chief: Kyiv, Moscow agree to "1000-for-1000" POW swap

Ukraine and Russia have reached a significant agreement to exchange prisoners of war based on a “1000-for-1000” formula, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed on May 16.

Umerov, who heads the Ukrainian delegation in the talks, made the announcement following fresh rounds of negotiations between the two sides.

According to RBC, Umerov stated that a specific date for the exchange has already been agreed upon, but he declined to reveal it publicly. “We have agreed on the date, but I will not disclose it,” he told reporters.

He emphasised that his delegation operated under a direct mandate from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate both the prisoner swap and a potential ceasefire. “We spoke with our partners, and the aim of our negotiations was a ceasefire,” Umerov said, adding that “all modalities” regarding the ceasefire were on the table during the discussions.

Umerov also indicated that preparations were underway for a possible meeting between President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We are potentially preparing a meeting at the level of the two leaders,” he said.

The defence minister further noted that more negotiations could be forthcoming and promised to provide updates soon. A press statement is expected around 19:00 local time.

The announcement of the new POW deal comes as Ukraine continues its efforts to repatriate its fallen soldiers. On May 16, Ukrainian authorities confirmed the return of 909 bodies of fallen servicemen to Kyiv-controlled territory. According to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the bodies included those retrieved from Russian morgues and those recently recovered from combat zones in Kurakhove, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and other directions. The agency expressed its gratitude to the International Committee of the Red Cross for its assistance in the operation.

Ukraine and Russia last exchanged the remains of soldiers on April 18, when 41 bodies were handed over to the Russian side and 909 to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, on May 6, the two countries also conducted their fifth prisoner exchange of the year. Each side repatriated 205 servicemen in one of the largest such swaps since the start of the war. The exchange was facilitated by the United Arab Emirates.

By Tamilla Hasanova