A major prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine is now under way, according to a Ukrainian source familiar with the matter.

Russia and Ukraine have completed a major prisoner swap, as announced by former US President Donald Trump. The exchange follows recent direct talks between the two countries in Istanbul.

Ukraine submitted a list of 1,000 prisoners of war to Russia in preparation for a major upcoming swap, an official at Ukrainian military intelligence said on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has said Russia and Ukraine have carried out a large exchange of prisoners. A Ukrainian official said the swap was ongoing, but not yet complete. Moscow did not immediately confirm the exchange was under way. “A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine,” Mr Trump said on the Truth Social platform.

“A major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation. This could lead to something big???” he said, without providing further details.

President Trump announced on Friday that Ukraine and Russia were conducting a major prisoner exchange after the two warring countries agreed a week ago to swap 1,000 prisoners each as part of cease-fire negotiations.

The planned exchange, involving 1,000 detainees from each side, follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.

This could lead to something big???” US President Donald Trump said on social media, apparently referring to international diplomatic efforts to stop the fighting.

Russia and Ukraine agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners each during two hours of talks in Istanbul last week. However, they did not agree to a ceasefire proposed by Donald Trump.

The last confirmed prisoner swap took place on May 6, involving 205 prisoners from each side. Before that, a 246-person exchange occurred around Easter, which was previously descr