On April 11, Ukraine and Russia successfully executed a significant prisoner exchange, resulting in the return of 175 Ukrainian defenders and seven civilians. This exchange marks a continued effort by both nations to address the humanitarian aspects of their ongoing conflict.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Commissioner for Human Rights, confirmed his participation in the exchange and detailed discussions with Russian ombudswoman Tatyana Moskalkova. The two officials shared lists of individuals reported missing and explored further humanitarian initiatives.
“I negotiated with the Russian human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova. We discussed future humanitarian steps, the return of civilians, and exchanged lists of those considered missing,” Lubinets stated during a national television broadcast.
Lubinets emphasized the dire conditions faced by the returned Ukrainian detainees, noting that many had endured severe treatment while in captivity. He reported that approximately 90% of those released had been held by Russian forces since 2022.
The latest exchange involved personnel from various branches of the Ukrainian military, including the Naval, Air, and Drone Forces, as well as the National Guard, territorial defense units, and border guards.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the exchange also included 175 Russian servicemen and seven civilians returned to Russia.
In previous exchanges, Ukraine has reported the return of thousands of its citizens since the onset of the full-scale invasion by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that as of July 28, 2025, Ukraine had successfully brought home 5,857 individuals, with additional efforts underway to facilitate further exchanges.
Recent agreements have indicated plans for the exchange of up to 1,200 individuals, with ongoing work to finalize the necessary lists.
Past exchanges have seen varying numbers of personnel returned, including 84 individuals on August 14, 2025, and 185 military and 20 civilians on October 2, 2025. The efforts to repatriate detainees continue to be a focal point in the broader context of the conflict.
Ukraine and Russia executed a significant prisoner exchange on April 11, with 175 Ukrainian defenders and seven civilians returning home. Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's human rights commissioner, discussed the conditions of the released detainees and ongoing humanitarian efforts with his Russian counterpart.