Russia proposes swap of 630 prisoners with Ukraine

Russia has proposed an immediate exchange of 630 prisoners of war with Ukraine, signaling a potential breakthrough in ongoing negotiations. During a press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated.

“Moscow is ready right now to exchange 630 captives on a reciprocal basis.” The announcement was also published on the Russian foreign ministry’s official website.

However, Moscow claims Ukraine’s list of desired returnees includes individuals already repatriated, unknown to Russia, or reported dead following the shelling of Olenivka’s Correctional Facility No. 120 in Donetsk.

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Complicating matters, Ukraine has demanded the return of 350 prisoners it alleges are still held in Russia as a condition for further exchanges. Europol has confirmed Ukraine has established a special police department to investigate alleged violations of the human rights convention in the handling of prisoners.

This comes weeks after a “95 for 95” prisoner swap on October 18, which included Ukrainian defenders from Mariupol, Azovstal, and regions across Donbas, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. Discussions for larger-scale exchanges remain fraught, with both sides accusing the other of delaying progress.

The Russian Ministry of Defense has reportedly proposed the transfer of 935 Ukrainian prisoners but awaits Kyiv’s response to finalize the deal. For now, the fate of these captives hangs in the balance as political and logistical hurdles persist.