Russia and Ukraine carried out another prisoner exchange on Friday, with both countries returning 205 prisoners of war each. The swap was confirmed by Russia’s defence ministry and came a week after US President Donald Trump announced that a large exchange of prisoners would take place between the two countries involved in the war.

In a statement shared on social media, Russia’s defence ministry said, “205 Russian servicemen were returned from territory”, controlled by Kyiv. The ministry also confirmed that “in exchange, 205 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were transferred.” The exchange marks another rare moment of coordination between the two sides, which have remained locked in conflict since February 2022.

Last week, Trump had stated that Russia and Ukraine were preparing for a mutual exchange involving 1,000 prisoners. His announcement came alongside a three-day ceasefire brokered by the United States. The temporary truce was timed to coincide with Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, which mark the defeat of Nazi Germany during World War II.

However, the ceasefire did not hold peacefully for long. Both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of violating the agreement during the three-day period. After the truce ended, Ukraine alleged that Russia had intensified its attacks on civilian areas. Ukrainian authorities said at least 24 people were killed during a large-scale air attack on Kyiv on Thursday. The strikes added to growing tensions between the two countries despite ongoing diplomatic efforts by international leaders.

Even as fighting continues on the battlefield, prisoner exchanges have remained one of the very few areas where Russia and Ukraine continue to cooperate. Since the beginning of the war, several such swaps have taken place with the help of mediators and international support. These exchanges are often seen as humanitarian steps amid the wider conflict.

Russia’s defence ministry also shared details about the condition of the returned soldiers. According to the statement, “The Russian servicemen are currently in the Republic of Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance.” Belarus has remained a close ally of Russia throughout the war and has often supported Moscow in logistical and diplomatic matters.

The ministry further stated that “the United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian assistance during the return of the Russian servicemen from captivity.” The UAE has played a role in facilitating previous prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine as well. Its involvement reflects continued international efforts to maintain humanitarian communication channels between the two countries despite the ongoing war.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022 when Russia launched military operations inside Ukrainian territory. Since then, thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed, while millions of people have been displaced from their homes. International attempts to broker peace talks and temporary ceasefires have largely failed to bring a lasting resolution.

Despite the continued violence, prisoner swaps have provided rare moments of relief for families waiting for the return of captured soldiers. Friday’s exchange once again highlighted that limited cooperation is still possible between the two nations, even as the broader conflict continues with no immediate end in sight.