Efforts to carry out a third large-scale prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine have reportedly stalled, with Moscow accusing Kiev of refusing to take back approximately 1,000 of its own captured soldiers.

The revelation came from Vladimir Medinsky, Russian presidential aide and chief negotiator in the ongoing conflict, who described the situation as both politically sensitive and morally troubling.

In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Medinsky said: "The 1,000 captured Ukrainian soldiers whom Kiev refuses to accept. Because of this, the second exchange was so difficult, and the third one has not yet started."

He accompanied the post with a photo of the Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs), as well as a link to a newly created website—1000ua.ru—which features detailed information about the detainees, including names and dates of birth.

Medinsky further criticized Kiev’s approach to prisoner exchanges, suggesting that Ukrainian authorities are treating some prisoners as less worthy of repatriation.

“Thank God that in Russia we've never divided prisoners into those deemed first and second rate,” he wrote.

Supporting these claims, testimonies from Ukrainian PoWs cited by Russian media alleged that positions on the exchange list could be bought, raising concerns over corruption and favoritism within the Ukrainian military or political structure.

One prisoner reportedly said he was removed from the exchange list in favor of someone who paid a bribe, while another shared a heartfelt message to his family, expressing hope for a reunion that remains uncertain.

“I am sending a hello to my wife, daughter, mother, sister and nephews. I would like to see them as soon as possible. Hugs everyone. I love them very much,” the soldier said.

The website 1000ua.ru hosts an open letter addressed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from the detained soldiers. The letter questions the inconsistency between Zelensky’s public rhetoric and the reality experienced by the prisoners.

“You often claim that there should be an all-for-all swap. If so, why not exchange all Russian PoWs for the equal number of our PoWs? This would be fairer than picking out 50 or 100 'special' individuals a month. There are thousands of us here! Mr. President, do you actually need us in Ukraine?” the appeal reads.

The message underscores a growing sense of abandonment among Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia and appears to be aimed at building domestic and international pressure on the Ukrainian leadership.

As of now, Ukrainian officials have not publicly responded to the accusations. While previous exchanges between the two sides were successfully brokered with third-party mediation, often involving Turkey or the International Committee of the Red Cross, the current deadlock highlights the growing complexity and political weight of prisoner swaps as the war drags on.

The second major prisoner swap earlier this year was reportedly delayed and complicated by similar disputes. Analysts suggest that both political optics and internal disagreements in Ukraine may be playing a role in the hesitancy to accept all prisoners, especially amid concerns about potential collaboration or military desertion.

Meanwhile, Russia continues to position itself as willing to exchange large numbers of prisoners—framing Ukraine's selective acceptance as unjust to its own soldiers.

As the humanitarian toll of the war deepens, the fate of the 1,000 Ukrainian soldiers in Russian custody remains a contentious and emotional issue—one that now sits at the heart of both political strategy and moral responsibility. (ILKHA)