Russia-Ukraine: POW Swap Delayed After Attack – Claims & Updates
- Moscow has accused Ukraine of unexpectedly postponing a large-scale prisoner of war (POW) exchange, an agreement reached during recent peace talks in Istanbul.
- According to the agreement, both sides would release all wounded soldiers and those under 25.
- Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's lead negotiator, announced the alleged postponement on social media.
Russia accuses Ukraine of delaying a major prisoner of war (POW) exchange, a setback following recent peace talks. Moscow claims the swap, wich would have involved wounded and young soldiers, was postponed after Russia prepared to hand over the bodies of deceased soldiers and a list of POWs. The exchange, potentially involving over 1,000 from each side, was to be the largest of the conflict. This news comes after a meaningful russian attack on Kharkiv, with Kyiv yet to issue a response. News Directory 3 is closely monitoring the situation as the international community awaits Ukraine’s statement. Discover what’s next for the prisoner exchange.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Delaying Large-Scale Prisoner Exchange
updated June 07, 2025
Moscow has accused Ukraine of unexpectedly postponing a large-scale prisoner of war (POW) exchange, an agreement reached during recent peace talks in Istanbul. the accusation came shortly after Russia launched a series of attacks across Ukraine.
According to the agreement, both sides would release all wounded soldiers and those under 25. Russia claims the exchange,potentially involving over 1,000 people from each side,was scheduled for this weekend. This prisoner exchange, along with an agreement to return the bodies of thousands of deceased soldiers, was a key outcome of the Istanbul discussions.
Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s lead negotiator, announced the alleged postponement on social media. He stated that Russia had prepared the bodies of 1,212 Ukrainian soldiers for transfer to the designated “exchange area,” representing the initial phase of a planned handover of 6,000 bodies. Medinsky added that Moscow had provided Kyiv with a list of 640 POWs for the first stage of the swap, which was expected to be the largest of the conflict, surpassing a previous 1,000-for-1,000 exchange.
“We urge Kyiv to strictly adhere to the timetable and all agreements reached,and begin the exchange immediately,” Medinsky said.
Ukraine has not yet responded to the accusation.
Prior to the accusation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the exchange would occur this weekend, while Russia indicated its readiness for Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
The accusation followed a “powerful attack” by Russia across ukraine, with Kharkiv being heavily targeted. Mayor Ihor Terekhov described it as “the most powerful attack since the beginning of the full-scale war.” Officials reported at least eight fatalities from the overnight barrage and frontline shelling.
What’s next
The international community awaits a response from Kyiv regarding the alleged delay.Further negotiations may be necessary to ensure the prisoner exchange and body repatriation proceed as initially agreed.