Russia and Ukraine exchange 160 prisoners of war each in UAE-mediated swap

Jun 26, 2026

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 160 prisoners of war each in a UAE-mediated swap on June 26, 2026. The released Ukrainians, held since 2022, include defenders of Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant, while returned Russian troops were sent to Belarus. The swap occurred amid intense fighting, including a Ukrainian missile strike on a Volgograd military plant and Russian drone attacks damaging Ukrainian Naftogaz energy facilities.

Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap

▪The United Arab Emirates mediated the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on June 26, 2026.
▪All 160 Ukrainian service members released in the June 26, 2026 exchange had been held in Russian captivity since 2022.
▪The released Ukrainian prisoners of war included defenders of Mariupol and the Azovstal steel plant.
▪Russia and Ukraine each released 160 prisoners of war on June 26, 2026, in a bilateral exchange.
▪The returned Russian servicemen from the June 26, 2026 exchange were transferred to the Republic of Belarus.

Ukrainian strike on Volgograd plant

▪The Titan-Barrikady plant in Volgograd produces artillery systems and components for missile launch systems.
▪Ukrainian-made Flamingo missiles struck the Titan-Barrikady military plant in Russia's Volgograd region, causing a fire.

Russian attacks on energy facilities

▪Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 174 out of 189 Russian drones overnight, though four Iskander-M ballistic missiles breached defenses.
▪Russia fired ballistic missiles and drones damaging production facilities of Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz in Poltava and Kharkiv.

Zelensky calls for peace

▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia must take its war out of Ukraine and take a step toward peace.
▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a 40-day offensive to influence Russia to end the war after consulting security services.

European refugee protection extension

▪The European Commission proposal limits temporary protection for newly arriving Ukrainian men unauthorized to leave due to military obligations.
▪The European Commission proposed extending temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees in the European Union until March 2028.