Saraliev reported on a prisoner exchange with Ukraine.

200 Russian soldiers have been returned to Russia as part of an exchange with Ukraine, and 200 Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners of war were transferred in exchange, according to Shamsail Saraliev, a State Duma deputy from Chechnya.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," in May 2025, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners in three stages based on the "1,000 for 1,000" formula, in accordance with the agreements reached during the Istanbul talks. In June, the prisoner exchange with Ukraine continued in accordance with the agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul, with the return of groups of servicemen reported on June 12, 15, and 19. Negotiations on the return of prisoners have been underway for for more than three years by State Duma deputy from Chechnya, Shamsail Saraliev. In July, Saraliev announced the return of a new group of soldiers from Ukrainian captivity. On August 24, 2025, an exchange took place according to the 185 for 185 formula. On October 2, 2025, as part of the exchange, 185 Russian soldiers and 20 civilians were returned to Russia. On February 5, 2026, the first prisoner exchange of this year was announced.

The prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine took place today, State Duma Deputy and representative of the Parliamentary Coordination Group on Air Defense Forces Shamsail Saraliev announced on his Telegram channel. "The latest prisoner exchange, based on the 200-for-200 formula, was conducted today by the Russian Ministry of Defense," he wrote.

Russian service members are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance. They will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in medical facilities of the Russian Ministry of Defense, TASS reports.

Russia, as part of the Geneva agreements, is conducting a 500-for-500 prisoner exchange with Ukraine on March 5-6. A new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine under the 300-for-300 formula is scheduled for March 6, the agency specified, citing Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky and the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"The United Arab Emirates and the United States provided humanitarian mediation efforts during the return of Russian servicemen from captivity," the Ministry of Defense reported on its Telegram channel.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov participated in talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and UAE President Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Fitr on January 29. Zayed Al Nahyan. In the Kremlin, Ramzan Kadyrov spoke about negotiations with the Ukrainian side to end the special military operation. He expressed a desire to see it through to the end, Mayak Radio reports. "Negotiations after everything that's been done... I'm against negotiations," Kadyrov said.