# Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange and repatriation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-russia-prisoner-exchange > Updated: 2026-08-19T09:33:10.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 5. On 19 August 2026, Russia and Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange involving 103 military personnel from each side, mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Following the swap, the returned Russian soldiers were transferred to Belarus to receive medical and psychological support before moving to Russian Ministry of Defense hospitals for rehabilitation. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova accompanied the group during the initial transfer. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the return of the 103 Ukrainian service members, noting they represented various front lines, including the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard. Notably, Ukrainian officials highlighted that this exchange included 31 heavily wounded soldiers, marking a first for such operations. Ukrainian military intelligence indicated that another exchange is expected before the end of the month, which may potentially include defenders from the siege of Mariupol. This exchange follows several other swaps in 2026, including transfers of 205, 185, and 160 prisoners earlier in the year. According to the Ukrainian Coordination Staff for Prisoners of War, a total of 9,613 individuals have been returned from Russian captivity to date. Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova previously indicated a readiness to facilitate the transfer of an additional 273 Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia. Challenges persist regarding repatriation integrity and the recovery of the deceased. Researcher Alexander Dudchak suggested Ukraine may perform an ‘ideological selection’ of returning prisoners, while Andrii Pasternak, head of the Unified Coordination Center for Search, alleged that Russia attempts to mask detention conditions by providing special food to prisoners slated for exchange to ‘fatten them up’ before repatriation. Additionally, Ukraine continues to face difficulties reclaiming the bodies of fallen soldiers due to administrative and financial burdens. ## Claims - Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The United Arab Emirates mediated the prisoner exchange. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Released Russian soldiers were sent to Belarus for medical and psychological assistance. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is accompanying the released soldiers. (corroborated by 7 sources) - A total of 9,613 people have returned from Russian captivity to Ukraine. (single source) - Ukrainian military intelligence expects another prisoner exchange before the end of the month. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Russia and Ukraine exchange 103 prisoners of war each Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each in a deal mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Released Russian soldiers are receiving medical care in Belarus before returning to Russia. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-ukraine-conduct-prisoner-exchange-of-103-soldiers ### 2026-08-13: Ukraine and Russia face accusations over prisoner exchange practices Ukraine and Russia face mutual accusations regarding prisoner exchanges, with claims of ideological selection of PoWs by Kyiv and attempts by Moscow to mask detention conditions through special feeding. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-and-russia-face-accusations-over-prisoner-exchange-practices ### 2026-07-21: Russia and Ukraine prepare new prisoner exchange amid ongoing war Russia and Ukraine are finalizing lists for a new prisoner exchange of civilians and military detainees, with no date set, following a January swap of 15 Ukrainians for 16 Russians. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-and-ukraine-prepare-new-prisoner-exchange-amid-ongoing-war ### 2026-06-26: Ukraine Secures Release of Seven Civilians and 160 Soldiers in Major Prisoner Exchange Ukraine and Russia swapped prisoners on 27 June 2026, freeing 160 Ukrainian servicemen and seven civilians detained since 2022, with mediation by the UAE. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ukraine-and-russia-swap-160-prisoners-in-latest-exchange ### 2026-06-26: Georgian fighter killed in Ukraine as Russia and Ukraine swap 160 prisoners each A Georgian volunteer killed in Ukraine; Russia and Ukraine exchanged 160 prisoners each on 26 June, the seventh swap since the war began. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wales-beats-georgia-25-17-in-opening-u20-rugby-world-championship-match --- Cite as: Ukraine-Russia prisoner exchange and repatriation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ukraine-russia-prisoner-exchange