human rightsWednesday, August 26, 202610 sources

Russia and Ukraine Conduct '10 for 10' Prisoner Exchange in Belarus, Mediated by Minsk

On August 26, 2026, Russia and Ukraine executed a '10 for 10' prisoner exchange in Belarus, part of a series of swaps since early August. The exchange was mediated by Belarus, with Russian state media highlighting its significance as a 'rather important' negotiation. The event followed a similar swap on August 24 and preceded preparations for a 'rather large' exchange.

Russia and Ukraine conducted a '10 for 10' prisoner exchange in Belarus on August 26, 2026, as reported by multiple outlets including Lenta, RT, and Saba News Agency. The exchange was part of a series of swaps, with another '10 for 10' exchange announced for August 24, 2026, and a prior exchange on August 19, 2026, involving 103 prisoners each. The Russian human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, confirmed that preparations for another 'rather large' exchange were underway, with lists being finalized. Some sources, like Novaya Gazeta, noted that this was the third exchange since early August and the second of the week. Others, such as Lenta, focused on the 'new major exchange' without specifying exact numbers. The exchange was mediated by Belarus, with Russian state media emphasizing its importance as a 'rather important' negotiation. The event followed the exchange of deceased military personnel on August 13, 2026, where Russia handed over 261 bodies and received 24. The Kyiv Post reported that the planned exchange followed a visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe to Moscow, though no direct link was confirmed.

Where Sources Diverge

Some sources mention the exchange as part of a series of three exchanges since the beginning of August, while others focus on the specific August 26 exchange.

novaya-gazeta

This is already the third exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of August, and the second this week.

lenta

It has become known about a new major exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine.

The exact number of prisoners exchanged on August 26 is not specified in all sources, with some focusing on the '10 for 10' format rather than the exact count.

rt

Moscow and Kiev have held a new prisoner of war swap, returning ten servicemen each.

bakinski-rabochi

Today in Belarus, an exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine is taking place according to the formula '10 for 10'.

Timelines

Sources

StateRTAug 26, 09:31 PM
Russia and Ukraine hold new prisoner swap (VIDEO)

Moscow and Kiev have held a new prisoner of war swap, returning ten servicemen each Read Full Article at RT.com

WireSaba News AgencyAug 26, 06:17 PM
Russia, Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange mediated by Belarus - Saba News Agency

Russia, Ukraine conduct prisoner exchange mediated by Belarus Saba News Agency

IndependentNovaya GazetaAug 26, 04:22 PM
Russia and Ukraine Conduct Another '10 for 10' Exchange of Prisoners - Second This Week

A humanitarian mission for the exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine in the '10 for 10' format is taking place in Belarus, reported Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova. "You can see that recently we are trying to conduct exchanges regularly," added the ombudsman. She also mentioned that another, "rather large exchange" is being prepared: the parties are currently finalizing the lists. This is already the third exchange between Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of August, and the second this week. On August 19, 103 Russians and Ukrainians were returned to their countries. On the 24th, Belarus announced another '10 for 10' exchange. On August 13, Moscow and Kyiv exchanged the bodies of the deceased: Russia handed over the body of 261 military personnel and received 24. On the same day, Russia and Ukraine exchanged civilians.

IndependentBakinski RabochiAug 26, 01:59 PM
Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war

Today in Belarus, an exchange of prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine is taking place according to the formula '10 for 10'. This was reported by Yana Lantratova, the human rights ombudsman under the President of Russia. Previously, the parties exchanged prisoners of war on August 24. At that time, 10 people returned to Russia, and the same number returned to Ukraine. A week...

IndependentKyiv PostAug 26, 12:36 PM
Russia, Ukraine Preparing Another ‘Quite Big’ POW Exchange, Russian State Media Says

Russia and Ukraine are preparing another major prisoner exchange, Russian state media reported Wednesday, days after swapping 103 captives each. The announcement follows an unannounced Moscow visit by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, though no link between his talks and the planned swap has been confirmed.

WireKhaama PressAug 26, 11:21 AM
Russia, Ukraine Prepare for Another Large Prisoner Exchange - Khaama Press

Russia, Ukraine Prepare for Another Large Prisoner Exchange Khaama Press

IndependentLibertateaAug 26, 07:48 AM
Russia and Ukraine negotiate a new major prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine are in the midst of negotiations to carry out a new 'quite significant' prisoner exchange, according to statements made by Russia's commissioner for human rights, Iana Lantratova, cited by the Russian news agency TASS. Since the start of the large-scale invasion in February 2022, thousands of prisoners have [...]

IndependentAdevărulAug 26, 07:23 AM
Russia and Ukraine discuss a new "rather important" prisoner exchange

Russia and Ukraine are holding discussions for a new "rather important" prisoner exchange, declared on Wednesday the Russian commissioner for human rights, Iana Lantratova, according to the Tass news agency.

IndependentIzvestiaAug 26, 07:20 AM
Lantratova reported on the preparation of a new major prisoner exchange with Ukraine

Russia and Ukraine have started coordinating lists for a new major prisoner exchange. This was reported on August 26 by Yana Lantratova, the human rights ombudsman in Russia. "We are preparing another fairly large exchange," Lantratova shared in an interview with TASS. According to her, the parties are currently working on preparing the lists.