Ukraine offers to exchange 1,200 prisoners with Russia

Ukraine is preparing for one of the largest exchanges since the full-scale invasion — the return home of 1,200 Ukrainians held by Russia. This is not just a diplomatic step, but an attempt to restore names, destinies, and families to those who have lived between hope and fear for months and years.

Zelensky on the front line: exchange is not a formality, but a matter of life

President Volodymyr Zelensky personally visited the command post of the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade in the Zaporizhzhia region — where decisions are felt in the skin, and words do not diverge from reality.
Here, they discuss not abstract agreements, but the fates of people for whom each new day in captivity is a trial.

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified contacts with intermediaries, international organizations, and partner countries. A new wave of negotiations shows: Kyiv is no longer ready to wait, Kyiv is acting.

It is important to return everyone: both military and civilians

Ukraine emphasizes: the exchange is not about statistics. It’s about those who defended the country and those who became hostages of occupation — drivers, volunteers, medics, teachers.
Each of them is part of a big picture that Russia is trying to destroy by holding people as a tool of pressure.

The large exchange is seen as a step towards reducing tension, but also as a test of Russia’s readiness for real humanitarian solutions, not imitation actions.

New initiatives: diplomacy at full throttle

Officials confirm: negotiations are underway, but details are strictly classified. Dates, list compositions, routes — everything is under control to not endanger any life.

Ukraine understands: such a large-scale exchange will require compromises. But any compromises end where human dignity begins.

At stake now are 1,200 human lives. And each of them is an argument that Kyiv puts on the negotiating table.

Context: the war changed everything

Since 2022, exchanges have become one of the few humanitarian mechanisms that somehow work between Kyiv and Moscow.
But with the increasing brutality of the war and growing pressure on the front, every delay, every breakdown of agreements becomes a tragedy.

Understanding this forms a new political will: the exchange must take place, and not “someday,” but now.

Ukrainians are waiting. And supporting.

Public pressure is enormous: thousands of families write letters daily, contact headquarters, and wait for news.
On forums, social networks, and volunteer meetings, they discuss only one thing: when the exchange will begin and how many lives will be returned home.

The country is tired, but hope is still part of the Ukrainian DNA.

What’s next

If the exchange takes place — it will become one of Ukraine’s most significant humanitarian victories in recent years.
If Russia takes a step back — the tension will increase.

But one thing is clear: Ukraine will no longer wait silently.
Each returned person is not just a victory. It is a restored family, closed pain, a symbol that life is still stronger than war.

The return of prisoners is not the end. It is the beginning of a big and difficult work that will one day lead to peace.

NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency