Ukraine prepares for 1000-for-1000 prisoner swap, compiling lists of captives

Budanov made these remarks during a televised marathon.

Regarding the lists of prisoners who will be released from Russian captivity, Budanov said that they will free whoever they can. The same approach applies to the release of Russian prisoners.

The intelligence chief sees no major obstacles to carrying out the “1,000-for-1,000” exchange.

At the same time, the SBU reported it has already started preparing for the swap.

“The Joint Coordination Center for the Search and Release of Prisoners under the Security Service of Ukraine has already begun preparatory steps for the exchange of 1,000 for 1,000 individuals,” the statement said.

Specifically, the SBU is compiling a list of Russian military personnel held in Ukrainian captivity who could be handed over to Russia.

Additionally, the Security Service of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Health and all relevant state agencies, is preparing to receive Ukrainian soldiers currently held by the enemy. This includes preparing necessary infrastructure, locations, and medical staff required for the reception, escort, and rehabilitation of our servicemen.

“People are our priority,” said Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

On Sunday, May 18, Umerov announced that a meeting of the Coordination Headquarters Council on Prisoners of War is underway to discuss the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity.

“Following our visit to Istanbul, the outcome of the negotiations is an agreement to return 1,000 of our people for 1,000 of theirs. People are our priority. Our mission is to bring everyone home. We’re starting with 1,000. Today’s focus is prisoners of war, so we’re discussing this now with all the relevant agencies at the Coordination Headquarters Council. The President has tasked us with organizing and presenting him with a clear action plan to bring everyone back to their families as soon as possible,” Umerov stated.

According to him, the plan will be presented to the President on Monday, May 19.

The defense minister also emphasized that they are discussing ways to secure the return of political prisoners from temporarily occupied Crimea.

• On May 16, a trilateral meeting was held in Istanbul between the delegations of Ukraine, the U.S., and Turkey. After that, talks took place between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations. According to Ukraine’s Defense Minister, they discussed the idea of a 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange.