Prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine under way in Homel as the two countries’ ombudsmen meet at the border

Another exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war is taking place in Homel on 23 October. Civilians are also due to return home, according to private Belarusian outlets operating in the country.

At the Novaya Huta checkpoint, Russia's human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova met Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada's human rights commissioner for Ukraine. According to Belarusian state media, exchange procedures have begun on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border, and the exchange is taking place under a "270 for 270" formula.

On 22 October, a day earlier, a humanitarian mission took place on the border between Belarus and Ukraine, during which 14 Russians and Ukrainians returned home. The ombudsmen of the two countries also held a preliminary meeting at Novaya Huta then, according to non-state Belarusian outlets.

The checkpoint in the Homel region is not being used for such procedures for the first time. In June 2026, a prisoner exchange on a "160 for 160" formula took place there, and the next day an exchange of civilians, 7 people from each side. In August 2026, according to Belarusian state media, a "103 for 103" exchange took place, with the Belarusian side providing logistics and medical assistance.