Swap of Civilians and Military Personnel in Ukraine
On May 15, 2026, Ukraine brought back 205 of its citizens from captivity, along with four civilians from the Sumy region who had been forcibly taken by Russia in 2025. The exchange involved Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Belarusian officials, and followed a three-day ceasefire declared by the U.S. President on May 8. This operation highlights ongoing efforts to recover individuals caught in the conflict.
The returned civilians, aged 61 to 85, were forcibly removed from their homes by Russian forces. Lubinets emphasized the significance of the swap, stating:
“Russia’s actions are a serious violation of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians during war. Peaceful residents cannot be subjected to illegal transfer or forced removal. Yet, Russia continues to systematically violate the rights of Ukrainian citizens.” - Dmytro Lubinets
Negotiations and the Return of Ukrainians
Talks for the exchange took place in Belarus, with participation from Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova and Irina Kostevich, head of the Belarusian parliamentary committee on social protection and labor. The first phase of the swap, which brought home 205 Ukrainians, occurred on May 15. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, most of these individuals had been held captive since 2022.
The returned defenders fought for Ukraine in:
- Mariupol
- Azovstal
- Donetsk
- Luhansk
- Kharkiv
- Kherson
- Zaporizhzhia
- Sumy
- Kyiv
- Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant
In his address, Zelenskyy confirmed the ceasefire and announced a planned exchange in a '1000 for 1000' format. However, on May 13, Lubinets reported a delay on the Russian side.
This exchange demonstrates Ukraine’s active efforts to bring back its citizens who have fallen victim to the war and underscores the importance of international cooperation in protecting human rights during conflict. The situation surrounding prisoner and civilian swaps remains tense, and such actions could serve as crucial steps toward restoring peace and justice in the region.
As Ukraine continues its efforts to secure the return of its citizens, the recent exchange highlights the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. In light of this, it's important to note that Ukraine has submitted a comprehensive list of 1,000 prisoners to Russia for potential exchange. This strategic move reflects the government's commitment to recovering those still in captivity. For more details on this significant development, visit the full report on the prisoner list submission.