Ukraine and Russia carry out first prisoner exchange in 5 months

On February 5, 2026, Ukraine and Russia completed their first prisoner exchange in five months, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict. The exchange, facilitated by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff during the second round of U.S.-mediated peace talks in Abu Dhabi, involved 314 prisoners, with 157 individuals released from each country. The event was confirmed by Russia's defense ministry, which released a video showing freed prisoners boarding a bus in Belarus, a Russian ally bordering both Ukraine and Russia. Witkoff described the two-day negotiations as 'detailed and productive,' emphasizing that while substantial work remains, the exchange demonstrates the effectiveness of sustained diplomatic engagement in advancing efforts to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to those involved in the exchange, particularly Ukrainian soldiers, whose efforts in capturing Russian prisoners have expanded Ukraine's exchange fund. He reiterated Ukraine's commitment to continuing these efforts to bring more Ukrainians home from Russian captivity. The prisoner swap indicates slow but steady progress in the trilateral talks, with less contentious issues being addressed while more complex matters, such as territorial disputes, are reserved for future discussions between the countries' heads of state. The last prisoner exchange had occurred on October 2, 2025, with progress stalling late last year due to Russia's reluctance to engage in further exchanges, as noted by Zelenskyy in January.