According to the Financial Times, negotiations have begun between Ukraine and Russia regarding the possible exchange of prisoners captured during the fighting in the Kursk region. The initiative to start discussions belongs to the Russian side, which was confirmed by Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets. He noted that the proposal for negotiations came from his Russian colleague Tatyana Moskalkova.

Ukrainian military intelligence also confirmed that work is underway to organize another prisoner exchange. However, the specific details of the upcoming operation remain unclear. The main problem is the destruction of the Kolotilovka checkpoint, through which similar exchanges have been carried out since 2023. The checkpoint was destroyed as a result of a strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which calls into question the use of this route for ongoing negotiations.

At the moment, it is not clear how the exchange process will be organized and what new mechanisms can be used in the absence of the usual checkpoint.

The situation with the number of prisoners is also quite alarming, since earlier Ukrainian television channels showed a story with conscripts who were captured.