Events

Belarus becomes venue for Russia-Ukraine civilian detainees exchange

GOMEL DISTRICT, 27 June (BelTA) – Belarus became a venue for the exchange of civilian detainees between Russia and Ukraine on 27 June, BelTA has learned.

Belarus, consistently reaffirming its peace-oriented position, provides safe humanitarian channels, corridors, and platforms for organizing and conducting exchange procedures between Russia and Ukraine. As it was previously reported, on 26 June, Russia and Ukraine handed over 160 people each. On 27 June, another humanitarian exchange took place at the Novaya Guta checkpoint on the Belarus-Ukraine border. Seven civilians are returning from Ukraine to Russia, and the same number are being sent to Ukraine.

“It is very important that the first negotiations here, on the territory of Belarus (for which we are certainly very grateful to our Belarusian colleagues), took place literally three weeks ago. It was then, starting from scratch after I took office [in May 2026], that Dmitry Valeryevich [Lubinets], my colleague from Ukraine, and I agreed to cooperate. We agreed not only on joint visits to prisoners of war, on exchanging documents, on humanitarian missions and projects for delivering parcels and letters. Most importantly, we agreed that we would work on returning civilians home and reuniting families. And already during our first meeting, we managed to reunite people. That was three families. And three other families traveled to Ukraine,” said Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova.

“Just yesterday [on 26 June], an exchange of prisoners of war took place, 160 for 160. And today we are already returning civilians home. These are 7 people who are returning to Ukraine. I know many of their stories, I know how their wives have been waiting, because we had contact with many of them. We are happy that the men are returning home. It was not easy to organize all this, but we managed. And we are also taking home our peaceful citizens from Kursk [and residents of other regions], who have not been home for a long time. Governor of Kursk Oblast Aleksandr Khinshtein is constantly in touch with me. He has already prepared a bus to pick them up. Their wives and children are waiting for them there as well,” the commissioner noted.

She added that yesterday, during the exchange, she spoke with both Ukrainian and Russian prisoners of war. “Everyone was able to make a phone call home. It was so touching, so emotional to hear how [on the other end of the line] they said: ‘Dad, we are waiting for you at home’. It doesn’t matter from which side. What matters is that they are returning home. For Dmitry Valeryevich [Lubinets] and me [as human rights defenders], the task is to ensure that as many people as possible return home as quickly as possible,” Yana Lantratova said.

“A positive two-day track is coming to an end. Yesterday, thanks to our communication with Yana Valeryevna [Lantratova] and our Russian colleagues, we carried out an exchange of 160 prisoners of war for 160. Yesterday we completed this procedure. And today 7 civilians are returning to Ukraine, and 7 civilians are returning to the territory of the Russian Federation. These are the results of the agreements that began on 5 June, when Yana Valeryevna [Lantratova] and I met publicly for the first time. I want to emphasize that we have, in fact, established daily working communication. I am grateful to the teams of both our institution and the Russian institution. The most important thing for us as two ombudsmen is that people see concrete results from our interaction. Yesterday and today everyone saw such results,” stressed Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmitry Lubinets.

He added that, in addition, the parties agreed, and yesterday exchanged lists of persons considered missing, to begin the procedure of verification and search for them. For the first time, legal documents were also exchanged, for example, to confirm employment history or other certificates from the territories of both countries.

“Special thanks to the Republic of Belarus, which helps us conduct both the negotiation process and the exchange process,” Dmitry Lubinets said.

Upon stepping onto Belarusian soil, Maksim, a resident of Kursk Oblast, admitted that when he saw the sign “Republic of Belarus” today, he literally exhaled and felt joy. The man realized he would soon meet his loved ones, whom he had not seen since August 2024. “I’m very happy. Maybe it’s not visible outwardly, but inside everything is trembling. My wife, child, brothers, relatives are waiting for me at home. Letters from home helped me hold on all this time. Most importantly, I felt that I was awaited and loved. And what more does one need in such a situation?” he said.

He added that he missed his work.

“I’m a machine operator. Right now it’s the busy season [in agriculture]. I can go straight into work without rest. I’ve already missed two seasons, so I’ll be catching up,” he said.

“Thank God, we’re almost home. My wife and mother are waiting,” said Roman. He declined the offer to call his family right at the Belarus-Ukraine border crossing.

“Let it be a surprise for them,” he explained.

“I’m originally from Tula Oblast, but since 2007 I’ve lived in Kursk Oblast, in the village of Lyubimovka. What helped me get through? Thoughts of my loved ones. I have a small grandson. When I arrive, I’ll hug my wife and kiss my grandson,” Sergei said, barely holding back emotions.

One of the men returning home to Ukraine shared that his family and children were also waiting for him. “We haven’t been home for 4 years. When I arrive, I’ll hug them, of course. I’ll send greetings to all my relatives,” he said.

“Many people are waiting for me at home. At least, I hope so. Today is one of those days that truly turns life around,” another man emphasized.

Another man had not been home for 4 years and 3 months. “We communicated with relatives only through letters. They wrote that everything was fine, that they were alive, healthy, everything was okay. What helped me not give up? The desire to return home, to see my loved ones and hug them, and communication with my comrades. When I found out I was flying today, I felt an indescribable feeling,” he admitted.

“These people have difficult destinies,” noted Irina Kostevich, Chairwoman of the Standing Commission on Labor and Social Issues of the House of Representatives.

“But it is heartening that today they will meet their families.”

She said that while speaking with one of the Ukrainians, she asked why he had not eaten the Belarusian porridge and broth provided on the plane. “He replied: ‘I’m so nervous before meeting my wife and children that I can’t even swallow a piece of bread.’. I said: ‘Then give your children Belarusian bread and Belarusian treats’. And looking into this man’s eyes, which said ‘thank you’, you understand how truly precious this is,” Irina Kostevich emphasized.

“The fact that we have worked for two days in a row shows that the dialogue is underway. The interaction algorithm has been established. There is understanding, there is willingness. The process is moving forward, and behind this process, behind these difficult, hours-long conversations, are human lives whose destinies we are helping to resolve. Belarusian soil is aimed only at peace, only at happiness, only at a peaceful sky and clear sunshine overhead, regardless of nationality. And everything that depends on Belarus… We will do our utmost to move forward along this peaceful track,” concluded the chairwoman.