186 Ukrainian prisoners freed in largest exchange in months.

June 5 prisoner swap

According to Novyny.live: On June 5, Ukraine and Russia carried out their 75th prisoner exchange, bringing home 186 Ukrainians. This marked the biggest such swap in recent months. Those released included service members from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Navy, the Ground Forces, the Air Assault Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces, the Special Operations Forces, the Military Law Enforcement Service, as well as fighters from the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border Guard Service.

The youngest among the freed Ukrainians is 26 years old, while the oldest is 62. One civilian was released after being held captive since 2022. Most of the returnees were taken prisoner in 2022, particularly during the defense of Mariupol. The group also includes a participant in the helicopter operation that established an air bridge to the Azovstal plant.

Combat zones

The liberated defenders fought across several front-line areas, including:

• Donetsk
• Luhansk
• Kharkiv
• Kherson
• Zaporizhzhia
• Sumy
• Kyiv
• Kursk

Two officers were among those returned. After their release, the freed Ukrainians will undergo medical examinations and rehabilitation.

Kyrylo Budanov noted that partners from the United States and the United Arab Emirates played a key role in facilitating the exchange.

Prisoner exchanges are a vital part of humanitarian policy amid the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Bringing back military personnel and civilians not only helps restore family ties but also boosts the morale of Ukraine's armed forces.

Cooperation with international partners such as the U.S. and the UAE underscores the importance of external support in addressing humanitarian issues and shaping the broader regional situation.