The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that nine soldiers returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine.
According to the ministry, on November 26 nine Russian servicemen, whose lives were at risk, were brought back from areas controlled by Kyiv authorities. The information was shared as part of the ongoing negotiation process.
State Duma deputy Shamsail Saraliyev identified the nine individuals as National Guardsmen. The military transport aviation assets of Russia’s Aerospace Forces are coordinating the delivery of the personnel to Moscow for medical treatment and rehabilitation. The ministry noted that the prisoners would receive the necessary medical and psychological support.
Ukraine’s presidency confirmed the exchange, stating that twelve people were transferred to Ukrainian custody, including three civilians. Andriy Yermak, head of the presidential office, announced the exchange on Telegram, listing four Navy soldiers, two National Guardsmen, border guards, a regional defense unit member, and three civilians – a spouse and a man reported missing – among those released.
Yermak added that some of the released Ukrainians had participated in key defenses, including Mariupol, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and Snake Island. He also noted that ninety-eight Ukrainians had been brought back the previous week, and that a total of 94 soldiers had returned home from captivity across both sides, with four civilians handed over to Kyiv.
Activation of exchanges
During the current week, the military department reported additional prisoner returns: 35 people were released on November 23 and another 50 on November 24. Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova posted a video showing the return of 35 Russian POWs, stating that their countrymen had come home.
In Kyiv, the Office of the President indicated that twenty National Guardsmen, twelve Navy personnel, ten Armed Forces fighters, six border guards, and two regional defense force members were exchanged as part of a 50-50 swap. Yermak highlighted that among those released were 19 defenders of Mariupol, including 12 evacuated from Azovstal, along with 15 prisoners from the Chernobyl plant and seven from Snake Island.
The Russian side did not disclose the exact composition of the returning forces. Denis Pushilin, acting head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, stated on November 25 that a prisoner exchange took place, returning nine soldiers, including one from the DPR. He further noted that on November 26, ten released fighters from Makeevka, Donetsk, Zugres, Kirovsky, and Snezhny returned home and were reunited with their families.
Daria Morozova, DPR Human Rights Commissioner, commented that among the two extreme exchanges held the previous day, 85 people were released in total, with ten defenders of the republic returning to their families.
State Duma deputy Saraliev pointed out on November 25 that there had been no swap that day. He mentioned that many relatives of prisoners had sent personal messages urging a 9-for-9 exchange, and that a plan for such a swap was discussed, though no exchange occurred on that date.
In November, the exchanges continued to involve large numbers. On November 3, a 107-to-107 swap took place, and on November 10 Kyiv and Moscow returned Leonid Pasechnik, with 35 soldiers from each side reported by the head of the LPR. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking via video at the G20 summit, urged a prisoner exchange with Russia that would apply to all prisoners. He called for a united, practical model for broad releases.
Responding to Zelensky’s proposal, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, suggested directing questions to the Ministry of Defense for opinions on the format and contacts needed to advance such exchanges.