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Ukraine's struggle with Russian aggression reveals heartbreaking and hopeful stories of captivity and resilience. Oleksandr Savov, a marine who endured nearly three years in Russian captivity, passed away after his release, reflecting the severe physical and psychological toll of detention. Captive experiences extend beyond Ukrainian forces, with North Korean prisoners in Ukraine expressing despair in captivity. The frequent capture of Russian soldiers by Ukrainian forces is a testament to the dynamic conflict, with many captives sharing harrowing tales of coercion and betrayal. These accounts highlight the ongoing humanitarian impact that war inflicts on servicemen and civilians alike. Meanwhile, international bodies like PACE call for the release of journalists held captive, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian efforts and international pressure to address these detentions.

What is the current situation of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian captivity?

As of now, many Ukrainians remain in Russian captivity, with reports confirming 2,577 service members still detained. Despite efforts for their release, conditions are often harsh, with prisoners facing torture and poor treatment. Ukrainian and international entities continue to advocate for their freedom through negotiations and exchanges.

What challenges do captives face upon their return from captivity?

Returning captives often face significant physical and psychological challenges. Many, such as Oleksandr Savov, suffer from health issues due to harsh conditions, while psychological trauma hinders reintegration into civilian life. Support systems and medical care are essential for their rehabilitation and recovery.

How are Ukrainian soldiers capturing Russian invaders during the conflict?

Ukrainian forces reportedly capture Russian soldiers through strategic operations and combat missions, leveraging intelligence and sometimes technological means like drones to trap or disarm enemy combatants. Successful captures aid exchanges and provide critical intelligence on enemy strategies and morale.

What efforts are being made to secure the release of civilian captives in Russia?

Organizations like PACE and Ukrainian government bodies work persistently to secure the release of civilian captives, including journalists. These efforts involve diplomatic channels, public advocacy, and pressure on international platforms to highlight human rights violations and push for humanitarian exchanges.

How has the international community responded to the captivity of Ukrainians in Russia?

The international community, including entities like the OSCE and PACE, has strongly condemned Russia's detention practices. These organizations call for accountability, advocate for captives' rights, and facilitate diplomatic discussions aimed at securing the release of detainees through coordinated international pressure.

Are captured Russian soldiers revealing any significant information during interrogations?

Several captured Russian soldiers disclose valuable intel during interrogations, detailing coercions by commanders and operational failings. This information assists Ukrainian defense strategies and enhances international understanding of the conflict, illustrating internal issues within the Russian military apparatus.

What role do exchanges play in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

Prisoner exchanges play a critical role by fostering humanitarian relief and maintaining ethical standards in wartime engagements. They facilitate the return of soldiers and civilians to their respective countries, reduce human suffering, and occasionally open channels for broader diplomatic dialogues between the conflicting parties.

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News captivity

Russian prisoners Over 10,000 Russian soldiers have been captured during full-scale war, - Coordination Headquarters The ‘I Want to Live’ project has published comprehensive statistics for the first time on more than 10,000 Russian servicemen who were captured during the full-scale war against Ukraine. The data shows a sharp increase in the number of prisoners, an increase in the proportion of foreign mercenaries, and russia's refusal to engage in a large-scale exchange on the principle of "all for all." 3 065 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Prisoner exchange In 2025, 10 exchanges were carried out, 2,080 military personnel and 230 civilians were returned from captivity, - Coordination Headquarters The current year, 2025, has been a record year in terms of the number of Ukrainian people who have been returned home from Russian captivity. 268 0 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy Children among civilians taken from Hrabovske. Russia also captured 13 Ukrainian servicemen, Zelenskyy says Among the 52 civilians whom Russian occupiers took out of the village of Hrabovske in Sumy region were children. Ukrainian servicemen were also taken into Russian captivity. 9 093 304 Previously in trend: Russia evacuated 50 civilians

Russians shot Ukrainian prisoner of war near Siversk Occupiers shot Ukrainian prisoner of war in Sviato-Pokrovske, Donetsk region - DeepState In Sviato-Pokrovske, southwest of Siversk (Donetsk region), the enemy shot a Ukrainian soldier after taking him prisoner. 3 285 2 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Savov has died Azovstal marine Oleksandr Savov, who returned from Russian captivity eight months ago, has died. PHOTO Ukrainian marine Oleksandr Savov has died; this spring he returned from Russian captivity after almost three years in detention. 7 781 13 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Russian POWs Defence forces captured 21 Russian soldiers in Donetsk region – Azov. VIDEO Ukrainian Defense Forces troops operating in the defensive sector of brigades of the Azov 1st Corps of the National Guard captured 21 Russian servicemembers in the Dobropillia and Kostiantynivka directions. 8 144 30 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Our soldiers eliminated the enemy’s position and took a prisoner "Enei" fighters destroy enemy positions in Toretsk and capture occupier: "What are you, cop?". VIDEO A unit of the "Enei" Special Operations Battalion of the National Police’s "Liut" Brigade successfully completed a combat mission in Toretsk, Donetsk region. 6 752 6 Previously in trend: Situation at front

The occupier was eliminated by his own comrades while he was trying to surrender Wanted to surrender: occupier killed by his own invaders. VIDEO The "South" Joint Forces Group has released footage showing a Russian soldier being killed by his own army while attempting to surrender to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 6 627 12 Previously in trend: Drones against occupiers Elimination of Russian occupiers

Mayor of Dniprorudne Yevhen Matvieiev Mayor of Dniprorudne Matvieiev was tortured in captivity and died from multiple injuries and wounds on 7 September 2024, - Office of Prosecutor General Russians tortured Yevhen Matvieiev, mayor of Dniprorudne in Zaporizhzhia region, to death while he was in captivity. He died from multiple injuries and wounds. 3 441 12

Fighters captured six occupiers Armenian, Buryat, Nenets, Tajik and two Yakuts: fighters captured six Russian occupiers. VIDEO Ukrainian soldiers captured six occupiers, among whom there were no ethnic Russians. 12 369 79 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

OSCE President Pere Juan Ponce Sampietro Release of three Ukrainian OSCE staff members from Russian captivity is our top priority, - Sampietro The issue of releasing three Ukrainian citizens who worked in the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission from Russian captivity remains a priority. 652 4 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

In the Kharkiv region, fighters detained two Russian occupiers Border guards from "Hart" brigade captured two Russian soldiers in Kharkiv region. VIDEO+PHOTOS In Kharkiv region, border guards of the "Hart" brigade captured two Russian soldiers who were building fortifications on Ukrainian territory. 2 149 4 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Indian surrenders to captivity Indian recruited by Russians surrenders to Ukrainian Armed Forces: "I didn’t want to fight, I wanted to escape". VIDEO A 22-year-old Indian citizen named Majoti was captured by the Ukrainian military. He agreed to serve in the Russian army to avoid a seven-year prison sentence. 4 489 15 Previously in trend: Captured Russian mercenaries

Defence forces showed footage of the liberation of Sichneve in Dnipropetrovsk region Defence forces eliminated 50 occupiers and captured another 8 in village of Sichneve in Dnipropetrovsk region. VIDEO The Ukrainian Defence Forces have released footage of successful assault operations by the 141st Separate Mechanised Brigade in the village of Sichneve in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The operation resulted in significant enemy losses. Soldiers of the "Shkval" assault unit eliminated 50 Russian invaders, and eight more were taken prisoner. 5 666 7 Previously in trend: Situation at front

An occupier from Mozdok spoke about the mountains of corpses and Russian losses near Uspenivka Occupier joined assault troops instead of going to prison — now he is giving "interviews" in captivity. VIDEO The occupier Sergey Shevkuta from Mozdok, Russia, who was facing a prison term for "weed", found himself in the realities of typical Russian assaults. 2 483 6 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

31-year-old Tuvan surrendered to Ukrainian border guards Tuva-born occupier surrenders to Ukrainian border guards in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO In the Pokrovsk direction, servicemen of the rapid response commandant’s office of the Chernihiv Border Detachment captured a 31-year-old Russian citizen from the Republic of Tuva, with the call sign "Taiga." 4 555 30 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

PACE called on Russia to release 26 Ukrainian journalists. PACE called on Russia to release 26 Ukrainian journalists from captivity. PHOTOS The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has called on Russia to release 26 Ukrainian journalists from captivity. 330 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity

Russians killed their own soldiers Russians kill their own soldiers who tried to surrender in Kursk region. VIDEO Russian troops killed two of their own soldiers who attempted to surrender to Ukrainian paratroopers in Russia’s Kursk region. 9 559 10 Previously in trend: Russians are killing their own

Mykolaienko on Russian captivity Former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko on Russian captivity: They beat us and fed us just enough so we wouldn’t starve to death. We picked nettles to get at least some vitamins Former Kherson Mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko has lost 25 kilograms while in enemy captivity. 2 649 5 Previously in trend: Russians hold former mayor of Kherson captive

Operation to remove a bullet from the heart In Kyiv, an Azovstal defender who spent year in captivity with bullet in his heart underwent successful surgery. VIDEO A defender of Azovstal, who spent a year in captivity with a bullet in his heart, has undergone a successful operation in Kyiv. 4 648 16

Trial of captured Aidar fighters in Russia 18 captured Aidar fighters on trial in Russia, face 20–24 years In Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, 18 captured fighters from the Aidar battalion are on trial, facing between 20 and 24 years in prison. 2 934 8 Previously in trend: Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

Our assault troops captured 17 Russian invaders Soldiers of 425th Assault Regiment "Skelia" captured 17 Russian invaders. VIDEO A Russian assault group fell into a trap set by fighters from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelia". Ukrainian soldiers captured 17 occupiers during a combat sortie. 7 041 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front captured occupiers

Confessions of Russian soldiers After "pipe" to Kupiansk, captured occupiers advise Russian military "not to fall for any b#llshit" from their commanders. VIDEO The Ukrainian military captured a group of Russian occupiers who tried to enter the city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, through a gas pipe on scooters. According to Censor.NET, the video confession of the prisoners was released by the 10th Army Corps of the Land Forces of AFU. 15 793 21 Previously in trend: Fighting in the Kupіansk direction

Assault troops of the Third Army Corps are clearing the area 3rd Army Corps clears enemy positions: ’One killed, other captured’. VIDEO Assault troops of the 3rd Army Corps carried out a clearance operation in parts of the Svatove district and the Lyman amalgamated territorial community. 3 695 2 Previously in trend: Destruction of the occupiers’ firing positions

National Flag Day Woman who spent six years in captivity in Russia has been returned to Ukraine. VIDEO Ukrainian civilian Svitlana, released from Russian captivity, met her daughters for the first time after more than six years of separation. 4 014 6 Previously in trend: Return from occupation

Russian soldier surrenders to Ukrainian Armed Forces He shouted "glory to russia" and then surrendered: occupier himself came out to AFU soldiers. VIDEO In the Toretsk sector, fighters of the "Khyzhak" brigade of the Patrol Police Department, together with the 28th Separate Mechanised Brigade, captured a 22-year-old Russian soldier from Astrakhan. 7 436 13 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Testimony of a captured occupier Captured occupier recounts threats of execution by his commander: "There is no way back". VIDEO Soldiers of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "SKELIA" have released exclusive footage of the interrogation of a Russian serviceman captured after the liberation of the village of Zarichne in Donetsk region, where Ukrainian forces raised the national flag. 2 913 10 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier

Ukrainian military repel assault on Pokrovsk Captured occupier confirmed Russian Federation’s heavy losses in Pokrovsk: "They are rotting. Drones and mortars tore them apart". VIDEO Soldiers of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "Skelia" continue to effectively eliminate Russian occupiers in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region. 6 191 9 Previously in trend: Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction

Russian prisoners from the Dobropillia direction Ukrainian defenders captured 17 Russian invaders in Dobropillia, Donetsk Oblast. VIDEO Russian invaders were captured in the area of responsibility of the 1st "Azov" National Guard Corps. The enemy command sent the invaders on the offensive to the hottest spot in Donetsk region - Dobropillia. 12 078 21 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances OSINT methods confirm 2,577 Ukrainian service members held in Russian captivity OSINT methods have confirmed that 2,577 Ukrainian service members are being held in Russian captivity. 1 101 1 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Defence forces captured two occupiers Defense Forces capture two former Russian prisoners: "They pressured me, blackmailed me with my freedom". VIDEO Fighters of the Forpost border brigade captured two Russian soldiers in the Vovchansk sector. Both were former prisoners forced into the war: they were threatened with additional years behind bars if they refused. 3 144 8 Previously in trend: Situation at front

A soldier with his throat cut escaped from Russian captivity Russians tortured and killed group of Ukrainian soldiers: one of them crawled back to his comrades with his throat cut. PHOTO 33-year-old National Guard soldier Vladyslav survived torture by Russian occupiers, who slit his throat and threw him into a pit. 24 487 78 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

28 Ukrainian journalists are in captivity in Russia 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers still remain in Russian captivity As of now, Russia is holding 28 Ukrainian journalists and media workers captive. 386 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity

Four paratroopers captured 15 occupiers in the Kharkiv region Our paratroopers free two Ukrainian civilians and capture 15 Russian invaders in Kharkiv region. VIDEO Four of our servicemen from the Air Assault Forces carried out a successful operation in Kharkiv region. 6 795 5 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Death of journalist Roshchina in captivity New details emerge Former head of Taganrog pre-trial detention centre personally gave orders to torture journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna - National Police. PHOTOS Law enforcement officers have established the chronology of the detention of a Ukrainian journalist in a Russian detention centre. 6 909 16 Previously in trend: Death of Victoria Roshchyna Torture of POWs in Russian prisons War crimes of Russia

Farewell ceremony for Viktoriia Roshchyna to be held on August 8 Farewell ceremony for journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna to take place in Kyiv on August 8 Farewell ceremony for journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity, will take place in Kyiv on August 8, 2025. 1 706 0 Previously in trend: Death of Victoria Roshchyna Farewell to Viktoriia Roshchyna

Viktoriia Roshchyna: new signs of torture found on journalist’s body New signs of torture found on body of journalist Roshchyna killed in Russian captivity – Office of Prosecutor General The forensic examination of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna’s body, who died in Russian captivity, revealed new signs of torture that had not been previously reported. 6 984 29 Previously in trend: Death of Victoria Roshchyna

Russian shoots his accomplice Russian shoots his accomplice at point-blank range in Zaporizhzhia region. VIDEO A video was published online showing the occupier shooting his accomplice at close range with a machine gun in the Zaporizhzhia direction. 25 780 40 Previously in trend: Order in Russian army

war 92nd SAB fighters captured Russian invader after soldier asked him for cigarette. VIDEO Soldiers of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade (SAB) named after Kosh Ataman Ivan Sirko approached the Russians and simply took them prisoner. 10 209 22 Previously in trend: Situation at front

war "Liut" fighters capture occupier from Sevastopol: "How’s weather in Crimea?". VIDEO Fighters of the "Eney" battalion of the "Liut" brigade neutralized an enemy group during a battle, capturing an occupier from Sevastopol. 11 589 15 Previously in trend: Situation at front

war Two occupiers surrendered to our drone, then Russian invaders tried to kill them while escaping. VIDEO In the Kupiansk direction, pilots of the border unit "Phoenix" captured two Russian invaders by dropping a bottle of water with a note saying "Follow the drone" from a drone, and then defended them from an attack by the prisoners’ own drone. 5 170 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front

war "Forpost" fighters captured enemy stormtrooper in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO Soldiers of the "Forpost" brigade, who are currently performing tasks in the Vovchansk direction, have replenished the exchange pool. 3 316 10 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Russians with a poster saying "We want to surrender" Group of occupiers raised poster reading ’We want to surrender’ after drone strike in Kharkiv region. VIDEO Fighters of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade forced surviving occupiers to surrender after carrying out a combined strike with aerial and ground drones on enemy positions in the Kharkiv region. 131 060 18 Previously in trend: Fighting in Kharkiv direction

captured traitor from Dobropillia Simonov Miner from Dobropillia is fighting in Russian 83rd Airborne Brigade, which committed atrocities in Bucha. VIDEO Simonov Volodymyr Volodymyrovych, born 12.03.1981, was born, grew up and worked in the city of Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. In 2014, after the outbreak of Russian aggression, he gathered his family and fled to Russia, settling in Tula. 10 years later, in March 2025, Simonov finally chose his side: he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence and returned to Ukraine as part of the occupier's army. 9 506 26 Previously in trend: High treason

Valerii Zelenskyi, released from captivity, dies Less than month after exchange, soldier Valerii Zelenskyi died. He was held captive by Russian Federation for over 3 years. PHOTOS Less than a month after returning from Russian captivity, 57-year-old soldier Valerii Zelenskyi died. 13 838 65 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap losses of Ukraine

war Russian soldier surrenders: after 10 hours, he covered 2 kilometres and fell into hands of 77th Separate Airborne Brigade. VIDEO After several precise drone drops, the Russian soldier decided to stop playing the "hero" and raised his hands up, declaring his desire to surrender. 6 240 27 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Dmytro Lubinets Since beginning of full-scale war, Ukraine has returned 5757 adults and 1378 children from Russia, - Lubinets Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 65 exchanges have taken place between Ukraine and Russia, during which 5757 Ukrainians have been returned, 294 of whom are civilian hostages of the Russian Federation. 323 2 Previously in trend: Returning children from occupation Rescuing soldiers from captivity

war Ukrainian defenders captured seven Russian invaders in Toretsk direction. VIDEO At the Toretsk direction in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian defenders replenished the exchange fund with 7 Russian invaders from the 132nd Horlivka motorised rifle brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. 4 584 17 Previously in trend: Situation at front