Ukraine Seeks to Resume Prisoner Exchanges with Russia to Repatriate 1,200 Captives

Ukraine is actively pursuing the resumption of prisoner exchanges with Russia, aiming to repatriate 1,200 Ukrainian captives. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced ongoing efforts, stating, "We are counting on the resumption of POW exchanges. Many meetings, negotiations, and calls are currently taking place to ensure this."

Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, reported that consultations mediated by Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have been held to reactivate the Istanbul agreements, which were established in 2022 to facilitate large-scale prisoner swaps. Umerov expressed hope that the freed Ukrainians could "celebrate the New Year and Christmas holidays at home — at the family table and next to their relatives."

The Istanbul agreements, brokered with Turkish mediation, set protocols for coordinated prisoner exchanges. Since their inception, Russia and Ukraine have conducted multiple swaps, including a significant exchange in May 2025, where each side released 1,000 prisoners.

In parallel, Ukraine continues to face Russian aerial assaults. Overnight drone strikes damaged energy infrastructure in the Odesa region, including a solar power plant, contributing to rolling blackouts as winter approaches. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia launched 176 drones and one missile overnight, with Ukrainian forces intercepting 139 of the drones.

On the ground, Russia claimed territorial gains in the Zaporizhzhia region, asserting control over Rivnopillia and Mala Tokmachka. These developments underscore the ongoing challenges in the region amid efforts to resume prisoner exchanges.