April 11, Pozirk. Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war on Belarusian territory for the fourth time since the start of 2026, with each side handing over 175 soldiers and 7 civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said on Telegram.
Russian media, citing their country’s defense ministry, also reported on the prisoner swap, indirectly confirming that it took place on the Belarusian territory.
Most of the exchanged Ukrainians had been held in captivity since 2022, Zelensky noted. The age of released Ukrainians reportedly ranges between 22 and 63.
The exchange also secured the release of 25 officers whom Russia had previously refused to swap, Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said, expressing gratitude to the United States and the United Arab Emirates for mediating the exchange.
Earlier this week, Russia and Ukraine exchanged fallen soldiers’ remains at the Novaja Huta border checkpoint at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Russia reportedly returned the bodies of 1,000 deceased Ukrainians,
Last month, Russia and Ukraine exchanged more POWs via Belarus, with 500 soldiers returning to each country in the third prisoner swap this year.
Belarus was involved in 18 exchanges in 2025 and 12 in 2024.
