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In the continuing saga of captivity during the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, various key developments have emerged. Notably, Ukrainian efforts have led to the release of over 8,000 captives over four years, showing the importance of coordinated strategies for freeing prisoners. The use of advanced technologies, such as drones and robotic systems, has been pivotal in capturing enemy soldiers, highlighting the evolving nature of warfare. Furthermore, the psychological and physical challenges faced by captives, including journalists and military personnel, underline the humanitarian aspect of the conflict. The capture and exchange of prisoners remain central to the conflict's narrative and ongoing attempts to resolve tensions.

What has been the impact of drones on captives during the conflict?

Ukrainian drones and ground-based robotic systems have significantly impacted the conflict by capturing enemy soldiers with less risk to human military personnel. This approach has forced many Russians to surrender, underscoring the critical role of technology in modern warfare and prisoner capture efforts.

How many Ukrainian individuals have been released from captivity since the conflict began?

According to the Coordination Headquarters, over 8,000 Ukrainians have been freed from Russian captivity since the beginning of the full-scale conflict. This achievement is attributed to coordinated diplomatic and military efforts aimed at securing their release.

What are the conditions and challenges faced by Ukrainian captives in Russia?

Ukrainian captives face severe conditions, including psychological pressure, physical torture, and inadequate access to medical care. Notable cases reveal instances of self-harm attempts and prolonged solitary confinement, shedding light on the harsh realities of captivity.

What humanitarian efforts are in place for captives affected by the conflict?

Humanitarian efforts for captives focus on diplomatic negotiations, psychological support, and medical assistance. Organizations and governments work together to facilitate exchanges and provide former captives with much-needed care and support upon their release.

How are former prisoners reintegrated into society after their release?

The reintegration process for former prisoners involves psychological counseling, medical treatment, and community support programs. These steps are crucial in helping them adjust to life after captivity and address the trauma experienced during their detainment.

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News captivity

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 6 March Prisoner exchange takes place: 175 military personnel and seven civilians freed, — Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, 11 April 2026, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 175 servicemen were released from enemy captivity. 3 624 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

captured occupiers Paratroopers of 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade capture 6 occupiers in Sloviansk direction. VIDEO Paratroopers of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade of Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured six Russian servicemen in the Sloviansk direction, who voluntarily laid down their arms. 2 885 1 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Russians are being taken prisoner DIU soldiers captured two occupiers in Zaporizhzhia sector. VIDEO Soldiers from the "Stugna" unit, part of the "Timur Special Forces" of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, captured two Russian Federation servicemen whilst carrying out stabilisation operations in the Zaporizhzhia sector. 4 099 1 Previously in trend: Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction

Three Russian servicemen to stand trial for the unlawful detention of the ’Sapphire’ crew Seizure of Ukrainian vessel "Sapphire" and capture of civilians: three Russian servicemen to face trial, – National Police. PHOTOS Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have concluded the pre-trial investigation into the unlawful detention of the crew of the civilian vessel "Sapphire" at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. 2 037 5 Previously in trend: Russia’s attack on civilian vessels

Drones and robots are taking Russian soldiers prisoner Drones and ground robotic systems are taking Russian soldiers captive, - Forbes Ukrainian drones and ground-based robotic systems are increasingly forcing Russian soldiers to lay down their arms, and sometimes capture the enemy without the involvement of live military personnel. 1 156 0 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

POW swap More than 8,000 Ukrainians returned from captivity over four years – Coordination Headquarters Over four years since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, 8,050 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity. 476 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Andrii Demchenko Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lyman direction captured two Russians during infiltration attempt, - Demchenko On February 19, Ukrainian defenders captured two Russian soldiers who were attempting to infiltrate Ukrainian combat positions in the Liman direction. 1 155 0 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Viktoriia, Roshchyna In Taganrog pretrial detention centre, Roschyna tried to cut her veins in front of guards to get psychologist to see her, - former prisoner A Ukrainian man released from Russian captivity, known by the pseudonym "Brytva," said that journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna was subjected to psychological pressure while being held in a Taganrog detention centre, was repeatedly placed in solitary confinement, and attempted to harm herself after being denied access to a psychologist. 3 827 7 Previously in trend: Death of Victoria Roshchyna

З полону повернувся прикордонник із Борзни Віталій Шпитальний Vitalii Shpytalnyi, border guard from Chernihiv region, returned from captivity after holding his position single-handedly for three days. PHOTO During the exchange, Vitalii Shpytalnyi, a border guard from the city of Borzna in the Chernihiv region, who was captured in May 2024, returned home from Russian captivity. Prior to this, the soldier had single-handedly been holding his position for three days. 3 438 6 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

Defender of Mariupol returns from captivity Myroslav Chornomor, defender of Mariupol sentenced to life imprisonment by occupiers, released from captivity. PHOTO Myroslav Chornomor, a defender of Mariupol from the Lysianska community in the Cherkasy region, who had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment by the occupiers, has been released from Russian captivity. 3 956 15 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

Russian surrenders to Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers Russians used drone to eliminate their accomplice, who was going to surrender to soldiers of 24th SMB. VIDEO Russian troops continue to demonstrate "barrage tactics," killing their own soldiers for attempting to save their lives. According to Censor.NET, a dramatic video has been published online showing the occupiers' massacre of one of their own soldiers. 9 317 19 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction FPV drones of Armed Forces of Ukraine saved Ukrainian soldiers from captivity near Pokrovsk: enemy group destroyed. VIDEO Near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, drones saved Ukrainian soldiers from captivity. 9 900 13 Previously in trend: Russian assault on Pokrovsk direction

Russian surgeons from the so-called "Friends of Donbas Medicine" group Media identified Russian surgeons who had burned "Glory to Russia" on body of Ukrainian prisoner. PHOTO The inscription "Glory to Russia" and the letter Z on the body of Ukrainian prisoner of war Andrii Pereverzev were made during an operation at the largest hospital in Donbas – the "Donetsk Clinical Territorial Medical Association" (DOKTMO). This inscription could have been left by Russian surgeons from the so-called "Friends of Donbas Medicine" group. 29 127 51 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

Soldiers of the 63rd SMB neutralised 65 occupiers Soldiers of 63rd SMB neutralised 65 occupiers in Lyman direction: four were taken prisoner. VIDEO Over the past day, in the Lyman direction, fighters of the 63rd separate mechanised brigade neutralised 65 Russian soldiers, four of whom were taken prisoner. 3 478 3 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Hostilities in Lyman sector

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." 3 259 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. 337 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. 9 193 304 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. 3 409 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. 7 899 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. 8 364 30 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

North Korean soldiers captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces asked to be taken to South Korea Captured North Korean soldiers ask to be handed over to South Korea, - media The captured North Korean soldiers, who were taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region, are in a psychologically unstable state and have attempted to harm themselves. One of them drew a portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in his cell. 6 980 21 Previously in trend: DPRK forces

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. 6 896 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. 6 883 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. 3 532 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. 12 488 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. 711 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. 2 231 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. 4 648 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. 5 736 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. 2 561 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." 4 618 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. 385 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. 9 659 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. 2 705 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. 4 827 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. 3 074 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. 7 236 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. 15 937 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. 3 787 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. 4 106 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. 7 574 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. 2 965 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. 6 268 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. 12 181 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. 1 212 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. 3 266 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. 24 949 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. 550 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity