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Amidst the escalating Ukraine-Russia conflict, the issue of captivity has taken a center stage with over 10,000 Russian soldiers captured, as reported by the 'I Want to Live' project. Ukraine has made significant strides, with 2,080 military personnel and 230 civilians returned from captivity in 2025 alone. However, disturbing reports of torture and the increasing number of foreign mercenaries add complexity to this humanitarian crisis. The Coordination Headquarters has emphasized the importance of prisoner exchanges and the urgent need for Russia to adhere to international laws regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.

How many Russian soldiers have been captured in the Ukraine conflict?

As of now, over 10,000 Russian soldiers have been reported captured during the full-scale war against Ukraine. This figure has been compiled by the 'I Want to Live' project, emphasizing a significant increase in prisoners of war due to ongoing hostilities.

What challenges do captives face in the Ukraine-Russia conflict?

The captives in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict face several challenges, including torture, lack of basic human rights, and inadequate exchanges. Reports have detailed harsh conditions and the refusal to engage in fair exchanges based on the "all for all" principle, further complicating the situation.

What initiatives are in place to address prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

Efforts to conduct prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia are ongoing, with the Coordination Headquarters reporting a record number of exchanges in 2025. The exchanges have facilitated the return of numerous military personnel and civilians, but challenges persist due to diplomatic tensions.

Are there any foreign nationals involved in the Ukraine-Russia captivity issues?

Yes, there is a notable presence of foreign nationals involved in the Ukraine-Russia captivity issues. There have been reports of foreign mercenaries and recruited soldiers among the captives, highlighting the international dimension of this conflict and the varied backgrounds of those captured.

What are the humanitarian concerns related to captivity in the Ukraine conflict?

The captivity situation in the Ukraine conflict raises significant humanitarian concerns, including reports of torture, inadequate care for prisoners, and the emotional and psychological impact on both military personnel and civilians. These concerns underscore the urgent need for international intervention and adherence to human rights conventions.

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News captivity

савченко MP Savchenko posts lists of POWs and MIA in Ukraine's east. LISTS Independent MP Nadiia Savchenko has published lists of Ukrainian fighters who have been captured POWs or went missing in action (MIA) in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 221 770 270 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas Ukrainian hostages in Russia

савченко заложники SBU to talk with Savchenko on disclosure of information about war prisoners, - Tandit. VIDEO Security Service of Ukraine will have a discussion with MP Nadiia Savchenko in order to prevent the publication of list of prisoners and missing Ukrainian soldiers. 75 056 314 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

тандит Ukrainian government willing to swap 228 militants’ accomplices for 48 Ukrainian hostages The Ukrainian government is ready to give 228 persons to the so-called “DPR”/“LPR” in exchange for 48 Ukrainians held hostage by the militants. 14 246 120 Incidents

Ukraine hands over 15 supporters of separatists to "LPR," - SBU Ukraine has handed over 15 supporters of separatists, previously detained for participating in anti-Ukrainian activities, to representatives of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics." 11 452 62 Ukrainian Politics

военные военнослужащие ато воины воин муравский No one killed, two Ukrainian soldiers wounded, two captured by militants yesterday, - ATO spokesperson Two Ukrainian military were wounded, two captured by militants in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine on Dec. 26. 13 694 6 Incidents

плен Russian-backed militants release two Ukrainian female hostages. PHOTO Dec. 27, the Donbas militants handed over two captive women Anzhelika Presniakova and Olha Svorak to Head of Ukrainian center for liberation of hostages Officers Corps Volodymyr Ruban "as a goodwill gesture." 215 931 430 Incidents

Two servicemen stray into enemy territory, no connection with them, - ATO Staff Two Ukrainian servicemen returning from a hospital have gone astray to find themselves in the terrorist-held territory. They are out of contact now. 53 099 99 Incidents

"DPR" militants set to release two female hostages at 9 a.m. Dec. 27 Terrorists of the "Donetsk People's Republic" have declared their intention to transfer two hostages to the Ukrainian side in the morning of Dec. 27. 23 267 151 Ukrainian Politics

SBU confirms no handover of two Ukrainian hostages to Savchenko, - Tandit The Ukrainian Security Service does not confirm the transfer of two female hostages held by the breakaway "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" to non-affiliated MP Nadiia Savchenko. 12 109 74 Ukrainian Politics

Donbas militant leaders to release two captive women "as goodwill gesture" “DPR” and “LPR” militant leaders Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky announced their intention to hand over two Ukrainian female prisoners to non-affiliated MP Nadiia Savchenko "as a gesture of goodwill." 34 973 200 Incidents

тандит Process of transferring 15 people to Russian militants about to complete, - SBU head adviser Tandit Ukraine continues its efforts aimed at releasing its prisoners from the self-proclaimed Donbas republics. 8 389 118 Ukrainian Politics

геращенко Militants demand to release 700 their accomplices in exchange for 50 Ukrainians, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The list of those, whom the militants demand to release, includes murderers and other high-level criminals. 80 119 374 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

"We know of 109 our guys held in terrorists’ prisons, 492 still considered missing in action," – SBU’s Hrytsak The pro-Russian militants hold 109 Ukrainian hostages in prisons in the occupied parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. 3 693 8 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Ukrainian government to transfer 15 women and persons with health issues charged with offenses against state to Russian militants in Donbas, - SBU Ukrainian government intends to release 15 militants’ accomplices in the coming days. 20 145 65 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Ukraine to hand over 15 individuals pardoned by president to “DPR”/“LPR” terrorists in coming days, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The Ukrainian government is going to transfer 15 convicted persons who will be pardoned by the president to representatives of the so-called “DPR” and “LPR” approximately by Dec 21, 22. The relevant committee will meet to tackle this issue today. 5 727 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

"I was held in basement," - liberated ‘Cyborg’ Kolodii describes detention conditions Ukrainian soldier Taras Kolodii says Russian militants did not try to convert him or force to dig trenches. 40 591 21 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

плен колодий ''Cyborg'' Taras Kolodii released from captivity, - Poroshenko The fighter spent two years in Russian terrorist captivity. 103 354 192 Ukrainian Politics

Biden supports Ukraine’s decision to unilaterally release 15 militants The United States hopes Ukraine's intention to free 15 militants will give Russia a boost in terms of implementation of the Minsk agreements reached in Belarus in February 2015. 8 451 70 Incidents

безъязыков Colonel Beziazykov, recently liberated from terrorists’ captivity, detained on suspicion of collaborating with militants, - wife Military intelligence operative, Ukrainian Armed Forces Colonel Ivan Beziazykov, freed from the militants’ captivity in the summer of 2016, has been detained on suspicion of collaborating with the so-called “DPR”. 184 805 283 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

россия наемник сидоров Russia disowns its mercenary Sidorov captured in Ukraine. Relatives ask to include him in prisoner exchange list. VIDEO+PHOTOS Moscow resident Denis Sidorov joined Russian militants fighting in Ukraine in 2015 and was captured Sept. 8, 2016. Sidorov previously fought in Chechnya and admitted his involvement in ethnic cleansing there. 109 507 140 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

савченко SBU checks information on Savchenko’s meeting with "DPR"/"LPR" leaders Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiia Savchenko failed to notify the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of her visit to Minsk to meet with the leaders of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics". 64 022 253 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Hostage release to be key topic during next Minsk talks, - Iryna Herashchenko The meetings of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and its four sub-groups are scheduled for Dec. 7 in Minsk. 1 778 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

108 people held hostage in occupied Donbas, 495 gone missing, - SBU 61 captives and 135 missing persons are servicemen and law enforcers. 1 852 6 Ukrainian Politics

плен колодий "They have to free my son. He screams there every night," - families of Ukrainian POWs met in Kyiv. PHOTOS On Nov. 21, the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war held a regular meeting with OSCE representative Toni Frisch. 33 737 27 Society

“LPR” militants capture Ukrainian judge heading to his father's funeral The militants abducted Judge of the Appeal Court of the Luhansk region Vitalii Rudenko three weeks ago when he was heading to his father's funeral in Krasnodon in the territory uncontrolled by the Ukrainian government. 43 825 161 Incidents

SBU's Hrytsak on prisoner swap: "We are ready to give three for one" Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak says is ready for unequal exchange to release Ukrainian hostages. 4 384 26 Ukrainian Politics

тандит Pro-Russian militants confirm holding 47 Ukrainian hostages, - SBU adviser Tandit Pro-Russian terrorists have areas in the Donbas unknown to SBU where they hold Ukrainian hostages. 3 321 4 Ukrainian Politics

Putin opposes Poroshenko's stance on prisoner swap, - Peskov Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly disagrees with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on the issue of prisoner exchange. 60 257 88 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Ukrainian hostages in Russia

64 Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian militants’ captivity, - ATO speaker Motuzianyk The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reports about 64 Ukrainian servicemen held in captivity by the militants in the Donbas. 1 789 1 Incidents

Militants' prisoner swap list includes persons not covered by Minsk accords, - Herashchenko Verkhovna Rada First Deputy Speaker, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Herashchenko says pro-Russian militants deliberately conceal the whereabouts of some Ukrainian hostages, while demanding that Ukraine exchange persons who have nothing to do with the conflict in the Donbas. 9 423 27 Ukrainian Politics

панов "I also want the whole world to hear that we don’t leave our people behind!" - wife of FSB-detained Yevhen Panov appeals to Poroshenko. DOCUMENT (in Ukrainian) The wife of Yevhen Panov, who was detained by the Russian security forces in Crimea and charged with plotting terrorist attacks on the peninsula occupied by Russia, called on President Petro Poroshenko and MP Iryna Herashchenko to make every effort to liberate her husband. 79 912 202 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Separatists at Minsk talks demand swapping 45 Ukrainian hostages for 600 militants, - Iryna Herashchenko Representatives of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” demand to exchange 45 Ukrainians they are holding for more than 600 militants arrested for violent crimes. 30 714 156 Ukrainian Politics

"DPR" leaders demand law on amnesty of all militants from Ukraine The Ukrainian authorities should adopt a law on amnesty of militants who took part in the armed conflict in the Donbas. 48 493 227 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

порошенко супрун жемчугов President Poroshenko meets released POWs Zhemchuhov and Suprun. PHOTOS Ukraine's head of state Petro Poroshenko met Volodymyr Zhemchuhov and Yurii Suprun, who had been released from the Russian captivity in the Donbas. 56 589 289 Ukrainian Politics

жемчугов Zhemchuhov and Suprun got to Kyiv-controlled territory, - SBU press service. PHOTOS Yurii Suprun and Volodymyr Zhemchuhov were released from the pro-Russian militants' captivity this morning. 34 747 28 Ukrainian Politics

жемчугов Zhemchuhov and Suprun released from captivity, - Poroshenko. VIDEO (in Russian) President Petro Poroshenko confirmed the release of two Ukrainians from the militants’ captivity. 86 627 114 Ukrainian Politics

жебривский геращенко донбасс штайнмайер климкин эро “Ministers should see front line picture closer. We’re interested in their opinion on how to hold elections in Shyrokyne,” – MP Iryna Herashchenko on Steinmeier and Ayrault’s visit to Donbas. PHOTOS The fact of the visit of foreign ministers of France and Germany in the Donbas is of paramount importance as the European partners must see for themselves that no elections can be held in such conditions. 30 356 84 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

россиянин сидоров Russian soldier surrendered to ATO forces and told about presence of Russian officers in Donbas. DOCUMENT A Russian military who surrendered to the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces in the Donbas confirmed participation of the Russian staff officers in hostilities on the demarcation line. 228 576 494 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Rada allows POWs to retain salaries in full The Ukrainian parliament has passed a bill allowing captive servicemen to retain their wages. 4 249 10 Ukrainian Politics

Terrorists confirm 47 Ukrainians held captive in occupied Donbas, - SBU Ukraine is ready to exchange POWs by the "all for all" formula. 5 214 49 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

тандит DPR militants confirm 42 Ukrainian hostages on territories they control, - SBU head adviser Tandit Militants of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" have confirmed holding 42 Ukrainian citizens hostages. 5 703 14 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

‘LPR’ leader Plotnitsky offers Poroshenko to release prisoners under ‘all for all’ format Leader of the ‘LPR’ terrorist organization Igor Plotnitskiy suggested that President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko should release all prisoners of war in ‘all for all’ format. 39 140 138 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

семья плен матери "We will struggle for their soonest release:" Poroshenko meets POW families. PHOTOS During the meeting, Poroshenko dwelt on the progress in talks on release of Ukrainian hostages. 19 317 162 Ukrainian Politics

Fate of each Ukrainian hostage held in Donbas is decided in Kremlin, - SBU adviser Tandit 107 Ukrainian citizens remain in captivity of "DPR/LPR", including 64 military, Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says. 4 909 29 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

митинг ап MP Iryna Herashchenko on hunger strike at Presidential Administration: "Dragging hostages' families into such shady undertakings is irresponsible and cruel" Dragging relatives of Ukrainian hostages held in the Donbas into political rallies is cruel and irresponsible. 55 927 360 Ukrainian Politics

Militants hold 107 people hostage, 10 political prisoners kept in Russian prisons, - MP Iryna Herashchenko Russian militants confirm they still hold in captivity 45 people from the list of hostages submitted by the Ukrainian authorities. 2 248 17 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

митинг савченко ап богачук Protesters near Presidential Administration demand faster Ukrainian prisoners swap. PHOTOS+VIDEO A rally has gathered near Presidential Administration building in Kyiv with demands to accelerate the release process of Ukrainian POWs and political prisoners. 100 809 664 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Militants revealed whereabouts of 45 Ukrainian prisoners, - Tandit Representatives of the self-styled "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" have provided information about the whereabouts of 45 Ukrainian prisoners. 10 266 4 Ukrainian Politics