---
title: "Ukraine and Russia Conduct Large-Scale Prisoner Exchange After Two-Month Pause"
description: "Ukraine and Russia carried out their first full-scale prisoner exchange in two months on October 23, 2026, returning servicemen home."
date: 2026-10-23T11:56:53.838Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukraine-and-russia-conduct-prisoner-exchange-october
tags: [prisoner-exchange, ukraine-russia, dmytro-lubinets, volodymyr-zelenskyy, military-conflict]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Ukraine and Russia Conduct Large-Scale Prisoner Exchange After Two-Month Pause

![Two Ukrainian servicemen talking on mobile phones after being released from captivity](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/23/ukraina-i-rossiya-proveli-obmen-plennymi-23-oktyabrya/ukraina-i-rossiya-proveli-obmen-plennymi-23-oktyabrya-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The prisoner exchange took place on October 23, 2026, for the first time in two months.
- The previous full-scale exchange took place on August 19 with 103 Ukrainian defenders.
- Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets refuted Russia's claims that Kyiv allegedly refuses to pick up prisoners.
- The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the return of 270 Russian servicemen.

Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner of war exchange on Friday, October 23, 2026, marking the first full-scale event of its kind in the past two months. Official confirmation of the procedure came from the Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as from relevant departments of both countries reporting the return of their servicemen home.

### Chronology of Previous Stages and Pause in Negotiations

The previous full-scale exchange of detainees took place on August 19, when 103 Ukrainian defenders from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and State Border Guard Service returned to Kyiv-controlled territory. Thus, the time interval between large-scale procedures exceeded two months. An exception to this rule was a special stage held on August 24, during which 10 servicemen previously considered missing in action were returned to Ukraine via Belarus.

### Positions of the Parties and Refutation of Information Hoaxes

Ahead of the current exchange, various controversial points and campaigns emerged in the information space. In particular, Russian representatives had previously published lists of Ukrainian prisoners, claiming that the Ukrainian side was allegedly delaying the process or refusing to take them back. Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets promptly refuted these statements, emphasizing that the state aims to return every citizen from captivity without exception.

### Significance of the Conducted Exchange and Future Prospects

The resumption of the negotiation process on prisoner exchanges is of paramount humanitarian importance for the families of servicemen waiting for their loved ones for months. Experts note that any progress in this direction reduces tension in matters of humanitarian interaction. Society and international observers look forward to the continuation of regular contacts between the parties to release all people remaining in captivity.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [Украина и Россия провели новый обмен пленными - впервые за два месяца](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/ukrayina-ta-rosiya-proveli-noviy-obmin-polonenimi-1792743044.html) - Primary source confirms the October 23 exchange date and cites Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- [Состоялся очередной обмен пленными между Россией и Украиной](https://newdaynews.ru/ukraine/882442.html) - Russian sources state an exchange of 270 for 270 servicemen.
- [Как Россия и Украина обменивались пленными и телами военных. Хронология](https://www.rbc.ru/politics/16/07/2026/6a06e7fe9a7947680130e3bd) - RBC chronology confirms the regular nature of exchanges throughout 2026.
- [Россия и Украина провели четвертый обмен пленными за неделю. 1207-й день войны](https://www.rfi.fr/ru/%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0/20250614-%D1%81%D0%B1%D1%83-%D0%B7%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B0-%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D1%80%D0%B0%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BC-%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B5-%D0%B2-%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B5-1207-%D0%B9-%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%8C-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B-%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%B8-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B8%D0%B2-%D1%83%D0%BA%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B) - Background information on war context and exchange frequency.

## FAQ

### When did the new prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia take place?

The exchange took place on Friday, October 23, 2026.

### How much time passed since the previous full-scale exchange?

The previous full-scale exchange was on August 19, meaning a pause of over two months.

### How did Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets comment on Russia's accusations?

He refuted claims that Kyiv allegedly refuses to take back prisoners, emphasizing the goal to return all citizens.