Russia and Ukraine exchange POWs

Russia and Ukraine have ‌exchanged 270 prisoners of war each, Russian state ​news agencies reported ​on Friday, citing the Defense ⁠Ministry.

The ministry was ​cited as saying that ​the freed Russian servicemen were in Belarus and would be ​transported to Russia ​once they had received psychological ‌and ⁠medical assistance.

In addition, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that a civilian exchange had taken place, with seven people returned by each side.

On October 22, the sides also exchanged the remains of fallen soldiers: Russia handed over 252 bodies, while Ukraine returned 25.

According to BBC Russian Service, Russia and Ukraine have conducted 18 rounds of prisoner-of-war exchanges since the beginning of 2026. The previous exchange took place on August 19, when 103 people were returned by each side.