Russia and Ukraine exchanged 103 prisoners of war each on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. The bilateral swap was mediated by the United Arab Emirates.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the release of 103 Ukrainian soldiers via Telegram. The returned servicemen included members of the Armed Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the National Guard. Some of the returning soldiers had defended Mariupol during the 2022 siege, while others had been captured in seven frontline regions.

Dmytro, 29, was a prisoner for three years. "It's a wonderful day. I've returned home. I haven't done anything heroic, and I don't consider myself special," Dmytro said.

He added, "I want to tell the families of the men who are still being held: keep believing and don't lose hope."

Timeline

Ukraine's military intelligence head Ivashchenko said another prisoner exchange was expected before the end of the month. "In the next exchange, we expect the return of defenders who have been held for a prolonged period, including those who fought in the defense of Mariupol," he said. Anton Tymofienko, 43, was released after 28 months in captivity.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms details regarding previous exchanges and the current status of released personnel. On June 5, 2026, 185 Ukrainian POWs returned from Russian captivity in the latest exchange, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the UAE has previously helped facilitate such exchanges, including a series of swaps in 2026.

On May 15, 2026, 205 Ukrainian defenders were returned from Russian captivity. Almost all of them had been held in captivity for nearly four years.

The released Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus receiving psychological and medical assistance before transport to Russia for rehabilitation. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that 103 Russian servicemen were returned from Ukrainian captivity. The United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator for the prisoner exchange. Some of the returning Ukrainian soldiers had defended Mariupol during the 2022 siege.

Why It Matters

The exchange of 103 prisoners on each side represents a decrease in volume compared to recent swaps. The number of Ukrainian prisoners returned fell from 185 in June to 103 in August, a drop of 44.3%. This follows an earlier exchange in May 2026 where 205 defenders were returned, marking a rise from 185 to 205, or 10.8%, at that time.

The United Arab Emirates has established a role in facilitating these transfers, having helped mediate a series of swaps in 2026. The return of soldiers who defended Mariupol and those held for prolonged periods remains a priority for Ukrainian officials, with further exchanges anticipated before the end of the month.