Landmark Russia-Ukraine POW Exchange Brokered by UAE On Easter 2025
277 soldiers whose lives Russia has captured have returned home. The successful carry-out of the exchange operation was held by President Volodymyr Zelensky as “one of the best pieces of news that can be.” Those returning include military service members from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, the State Special Transport Service, and border guards who they did fight in Mariupol and other frontlines in Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk. This is the 63rd exchange since the beginning of the total exchange programme.
Our people are home—one of the best pieces of news that can be. Another 277 warriors have returned home from Russian captivity.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 19, 2025
The warriors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, and the border guards. They defended… pic.twitter.com/bm4OF80o7o
“Easter Miracle” Brings Defenders Home
The latest exchange operation called an “Easter Miracle” by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, has brought back 246 defenders of Ukraine under a formal prisoner exchange procedure. 31 more individuals were released outside the regular exchange, making it a total of 277 returned Ukrainian citizens. For many of those soldiers already in captivity since 2022, this will be their first Easter celebration in freedom alongside their families.
Easter Miracle: 277 of Our Defenders Are Home — on Free Ukrainian Land
— Dmytro Lubinets (@lubinetzs) April 19, 2025
Today, the 63rd prisoner exchange took place: 246 defenders were returned within the framework of the exchange, and an additional 31 individuals were freed outside of the exchange process.
For the first time… pic.twitter.com/mi8wmjfQul
Ukraine’s leadership deeply thanked the United Arab Emirates for its significant role in mediating this prisoner exchange. The UAE assisted in diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and Russia regarding the return of the defenders to their homeland. This channel of diplomacy remains critically important for Ukraine in trying to bring back all of its citizens under Russian captivity as the war drags into its third year.
Continuing Efforts in Prisoner Exchange
“We remember all those who remain in captivity. We are searching for everyone who could be there. We must bring them all home.” He assured that the Ukrainian leadership would never quit working for these people.
The return of prisoners has been made a key area of humanitarian concern since 2022 by the Ukrainian government, even during the rigors of military conflict. Every prisoner exchange is preceded by extensive negotiations that often bear the trademark of diplomatic, at times with international facilitators like the UAE. Ukrainian officials pursue various channels to find and identify citizens who might be held in Russian captivity, collecting evidence that will suit a case for return. These endeavors resonate with Ukraine’s vision of never leaving anyone behind strategically, despite challenges to achieve their release from the enemy’s custody.
