IRIA News

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Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 314 prisoners of war, 157 from each side, on February 5, 2026. The first such swap in five months came after trilateral talks between American, Ukrainian, and Russian negotiators concluded in Abu Dhabi amid continued uncertainty over broader peace negotiations.

The exchange was confirmed after U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the two sides had agreed to release a total of 314 prisoners following “detailed and productive” talks in the United Arab Emirates.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said 157 of its servicemen were returned as part of the exchange, along with three Russian civilians from the Kursk region who had been held in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities reported that 150 of the Ukrainians released were military personnel, while seven were civilians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the exchange, stating, “We are bringing our people home, 157 Ukrainians. Warriors from the Armed Forces, National Guard, and the State Border Guard Service. Soldiers, sergeants, and officers. Along with our defenders, civilians are also returning. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022.”

Russian officials said the freed servicemen were initially transported to Belarus, where they are receiving medical and psychological assistance. They are expected to be transferred to Moscow in the coming days for further treatment and rehabilitation.

The United Arab Emirates acted as a mediator in facilitating the exchange, while both the UAE and the United States were credited by Russian authorities with providing humanitarian assistance during the process.

Today, delegations from the United States, Ukraine, and Russia agreed to exchange 314 prisoners—the first such exchange in five months.

This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive. While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate…

— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) February 5, 2026

First Prisoner Swap in Months

Witkoff described the exchange as the first such swap between the two countries in about five months. Previous exchanges took place in 2025, including a deal in October that saw both sides swap soldiers and civilians as part of arrangements reached during earlier talks in Istanbul.

“This outcome was achieved from peace talks that have been detailed and productive,” Witkoff said on social media. “While significant work remains, steps like this demonstrate that sustained diplomatic engagement is delivering tangible results and advancing efforts to end the war in Ukraine.”

He added that “additional progress” was expected in the coming weeks, though it remains unclear whether the Abu Dhabi talks produced any breakthroughs toward a broader ceasefire or peace agreement.

Talks Continue in Abu Dhabi

The prisoner exchange came as Russia, Ukraine, and the United States concluded a second round of trilateral discussions in the Emirati capital. Negotiators met over two days, working both in joint sessions and smaller groups.

Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said earlier that discussions were focused on “concrete steps and practical solutions” to ending the war, which is approaching its fourth year.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, described the talks as “constructive” but did not provide further details. Russian authorities have not publicly assessed the negotiations in detail.

The Russian delegation included military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov and other senior officials. Kremlin envoy and Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev said separate meetings were also taking place with U.S. officials in Abu Dhabi to discuss economic relations.

“We are actively working with the Trump administration to restore Russia-U.S. economic relations, including through the Russian-American Economic Cooperation Group. We met today, and the meetings are going well,” Dmitriev said.

Uncertain Path to Peace

Despite the renewed diplomatic engagement, prospects for a comprehensive peace agreement remain unclear. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously pledged to end the war quickly, but negotiations have yet to produce a settlement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the talks that the “doors for a peaceful resolution” remain open but warned that Russia’s military campaign would continue unless Kyiv takes what Moscow considers appropriate steps.

“Our position is crystal clear,” Peskov said. “So long as the Kyiv regime does not take the appropriate steps, the special military operation will continue.”

Territorial issues remain the most contentious element of negotiations. Russia has demanded that Ukraine hand over the eastern Donbas region, despite not fully controlling the territory. Ukrainian officials have rejected the demand, with Zelenskyy reiterating that Kyiv will not concede territory.

Zelenskyy has said Moscow previously halted prisoner swaps and was reluctant to engage in exchanges because it did not see them as beneficial. However, he suggested that the latest round of talks featured a more serious Russian delegation and provided an opportunity for practical steps.

US and Russia Agree to Establish Military Dialogue

In addition to the prisoner exchange, the United States European Command said Washington and Moscow had agreed during the Abu Dhabi talks to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, to be led by Commander of U.S. European Command General Alexus Grynkewich. The dialogue had been suspended shortly before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace, which can only be achieved through strength, and provides a means for increased transparency and de-escalation,” the command said.

The talks took place amid continued fighting and strikes by both sides. A day before negotiations began, Russia launched missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, cutting power and heating during subzero temperatures. Ukrainian strikes also left thousands without electricity in Russia’s Belgorod region, according to local officials.

Ukrainian authorities said the attacks raised doubts about Moscow’s commitment to diplomacy, while Russian officials pointed to ongoing Ukrainian strikes as evidence that the conflict remains active despite negotiations.

Humanitarian Steps Amid Ongoing War

While the prisoner exchange does not signal a broader breakthrough, it represents one of the few areas of continued cooperation between the warring sides. Such exchanges have been among the most consistent outcomes of periodic negotiations since the war began.

Witkoff said discussions would continue in the coming weeks, raising the possibility of further humanitarian agreements or confidence-building measures.

For now, the latest swap underscores the limited but tangible results of ongoing diplomacy, even as fundamental disagreements over territory, security guarantees, and the future of occupied regions continue to block progress toward a comprehensive peace settlement.