Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova has met with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the special envoy of Pope Francis for the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, to discuss the return of Russian servicemen from Ukrainian captivity.
In a message posted on Telegram, Lantratova said the primary focus of the meeting was securing the return of Russian military personnel serving in the special military operation who are being held in Ukrainian captivity.
Lantratova stated that she explained current exchange procedures to the papal envoy and detailed how a direct dialogue has been built with the Ukrainian ombudsman covering prisoner swaps and other issues.
The ombudsman added that the meeting included a separate discussion regarding the return of civilians held in Ukraine. Cardinal Zuppi, who also serves as the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, expressed his readiness to continue cooperation on humanitarian matters.
Prisoner exchange history and recent transfers
The most recent prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine took place at the end of August 2026. During that operation, ten Russian servicemen were returned to Moscow and ten soldiers were sent to Kyiv.
Official data indicates that over a four-month period, Russia has successfully returned 663 Russian prisoners of war. The Kremlin previously stated that communication channels between Russia and Ukraine regarding military prisoners remain active.
Background on Vatican envoy and human rights office
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi serves as the Archbishop of Bologna and heads the Italian Episcopal Conference. Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Zuppi as a papal peace envoy specifically tasked with pursuing humanitarian initiatives, facilitating prisoner exchanges, and helping resolve humanitarian consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.
The Holy See maintains a long tradition of papal diplomacy in international conflicts, offering neutral mediation to establish dialogue between warring parties and assist in humanitarian efforts without engaging in political negotiations.
The office of the Russian Human Rights Commissioner is an official institution responsible for safeguarding civil rights and handling public inquiries within the Russian Federation. During armed conflicts, the ombudsman regularly coordinates with foreign representatives and counterpart agencies to facilitate prisoner exchanges and protect detainee welfare.
Telegram has become a primary channel for Russian state officials and public figures to issue statements and share details of diplomatic engagements. Direct communication between ombudsmen and neutral mediators has provided a consistent avenue for managing humanitarian issues between Moscow and Kyiv.
