A prisoner exchange is a negotiated swap in which two sides at war release each other's captured fighters, usually in agreed numbers, on an agreed date and at an agreed location. Russia and Ukraine agreed in principle to their largest-ever exchange at US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on 11 November 2026, with more than 1,000 prisoners from each side expected to go home within two to three weeks.

What was agreed in Abu Dhabi?

Russia and Ukraine held two days of US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on 10 and 11 November 2026, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in the room. Russia's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said the sides had "agreed on a large-scale prisoner exchange", and Ukraine's Rustem Umerov confirmed the plan. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the sides had discussed exchanging 1,000 or 1,500 prisoners each. Russian General Alexander Zorin told TASS the exchange would involve more than 1,000 captives on each side.

How does a prisoner exchange work?

The two sides first agree the numbers and the lists of names, then fix a date and a handover point, often with a neutral third country acting as go-between. The prisoners are handed over simultaneously, so neither side gives up its captives without receiving its own people back. The United Arab Emirates has played that role repeatedly: its foreign ministry said in April 2026 it had facilitated 21 mediations resulting in the release of 6,305 captives. Exchanges are humanitarian steps, governed in principle by the Geneva Conventions — although in practice the two sides have swapped prisoners throughout the fighting.

Does this mean the war is ending?

No. The Abu Dhabi talks produced no ceasefire and no breakthrough on the core issues — territory, security guarantees and the future of the front line. The prisoner deal is a humanitarian measure agreed alongside the political talks, not a peace settlement.

Frequently asked questions

How many prisoners will be exchanged? It had not been confirmed when the deal was announced. More than 1,000 from each side are expected, with 1,000-for-1,000 and 1,500-for-1,500 formats discussed.

When will the exchange happen? Russian officials said within two to three weeks, once procedures are completed. No exact date had been announced.

Is this the biggest exchange of the war? If the numbers hold, yes — the largest of the war so far.