Since May 2025, Russia has handed over nearly 4,000 prisoners of war to Kyiv, a diplomat says

Rodion Miroshnik says Ukraine has returned 3,886 captured Russian soldiers to the country

United Nations, October 14. /TASS/. Since May 2025, Russia has handed over a total of 3,976 prisoners of war to Kyiv, while Kyiv has repatriated 3,886 captured Russian soldiers, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik said.

"On the initiative of the Russian president, the format of the Istanbul negotiations was restored in May 2025 after a three-year hiatus," he said at the informal meeting of the Aria Formula of the UN Security Council. This paved the way for the resumption of prisoner exchanges after a long disruption."

This Russian diplomat added: Since May 2025, Russia has handed over at least 3,976 soldiers and about 208 civilians to Ukraine, while Ukraine has returned at least 3,886 soldiers and 193 civilians to Russia.