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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

Savchenko goes on hunger strike to protest against authorities' nonfeasance in releasing Ukrainian prisoners Ukrainian MP Nadiia Savchenko, who herself had been released from political imprisonment in Russia several months ago, has announced going on a hunger strike to protest against authorities' inactivity in prisoners' release. 87 996 361 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

180 people from militants' swap list refuse to return to "DPR" and "LPR", - Tandit The prisoner swap lists offered by militants include people who have never been captured by Ukrainian defense and security authorities, as well as mere criminals. 60 538 75 Ukrainian Politics

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch blame tortures in Donbas on both warring sides Both the Ukrainian authorities and Russia-backed militants in eastern Ukraine hold civilians in prolonged, arbitrary, and sometimes secret detention and torture them, according to a joint report by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released Thursday, July 21. 20 999 81 Incidents

MP Herashchenko dwells on Medvedchuk’s role in Minsk peace talks Viktor Medvedchuk is primarily engaged in release of hostages as a member of the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group to settle situation in the Donbas that holds negotiations in Minsk, Belarus. 81 758 136 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

плен Militants refused to swap 25 Ukrainian hostages for 50 separatists, - Iryna Herashchenko Militants of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" refused to exchange 25 Ukrainian hostages, illegally held in the temporarily occupied territory, for 50 their fighters. 23 861 116 Ukrainian Politics

захаров 87 percent of military, 50 percent of civilians underwent tortures in terrorists' captivity, - human rights activist Zakharov 87 percent of Ukrainian soldiers and 50 percent of civilians were tortured in "LPR"and "DPR" captivity. 13 418 15 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

седиков "We shelled both Ukraine and our positions," - captive Russian mercenary Sedikov spoke of provocations in Donbas. VIDEO Russian mercenary Alexey Sedikov, captured in the vicinity of Troitske several days ago, addressed his relatives with a request to visit him in Ukraine under the safeguards of the SBU. 217 401 282 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

дед омбр позывной 54-я "We fired several bursts and said: Stick'em up! They are not coming. We approached - they lie wounded," - Ukrainian military tell about capturing Russian soldiers. VIDEO Ukrainian soldiers of the 54th separate mechanized brigade told about taking captive Russian military near Troitske. 118 832 182 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

плен боевик Deputy Defense Minister of “DPR” Eduard Basurin renounces captured and killed Russian soldiers. VIDEO The leaders of the “DPR” terrorist organization called the detention of members of the militants’ subversive and reconnaissance group by Ukrainian soldiers in the clash near Troitske "false information" and "nonsense." 155 256 172 Incidents

плен боевик Company commander, platoon commander, and sniper captured near Troitske, - 54th Brigade press service. PHOTOS The press service of the 54th Mechanized Brigade shared the details of capture of three Russian terrorists outside Troitske. 300 649 373 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

плен Militants block release of hostages, demand amnesty for 600 criminals, - Iryna Herashchenko Militants claim holding two dozens of hostages in the "DPR" and one dozen in the "LPR". Meanwhile, 112 Ukrainians are staying in captivity, according to the Ukrainian side. 34 550 91 Ukrainian Politics

заложник плен безъязыков "We will fight for liberation of every Ukrainian," - Poroshenko meets with Ivan Beziazykov. PHOTO President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with Armed Forces Colonel Ivan Beziazykov, who was liberated from militants' captivity yesterday. 30 159 41 Incidents

сбу безъязыков Ukrainian Colonel Beziazykov freed from militants’ captivity, president’s spokesperson says. PHOTO Ukrainian Army Colonel Ivan Beziazykov, who has been held in terrorists’ captivity since August 2014, has been released. 114 569 88 Incidents

"It was real covert operation," – MP Iryna Herashchenko dwelled on Colonel Beziazykov’s liberation First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Herashchenko has disclosed some details of the liberation of Armed Forces Colonel Ivan Beziazykov from terrorists’ captivity. 74 391 115 Incidents

плен освобождение михаил кучевский Engineer unit soldier of Ukrainian Army Kuchevskyi released from militants' captivity, - Adviser to Defense Minister Budyk. PHOTOS Adviser to Defense Minister Vasyl Budyk informed of release from the militants captivity of a soldier from an engineer unit of the Ukrainian Army Mykhailo Ivanovych Kuchevskyi. 38 636 32 Society

боевики Pro-Russian terrorists detained near Mariupol tell about their combat task. VIDEO (in Russian) Eight militants of the terrorist organization "Donetsk People's Republic," who were detained by Ukrainian soldiers near Mariupol, willingly communicate with SBU investigators. 183 228 465 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

OSCE accuses militants of lying: SMM received no information on "de-mining" in which eight terrorists were captured The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has accused militants of lying. It plainly said that the statements by occupants, claiming eight militants were captured during a "de-mining" that had been agreed with the OSCE, were misinformation. 51 032 134 Ukrainian Politics

Ukraine to bring up issue of hostages at Minsk today amid information about worsened conditions for Ukrainian captives, - Ukraine's representative in Minsk Herashchenko Major issues of the upcoming talks will include security, daily shelling, violation of the cease-fire, and that of hostages. 4 635 13 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

плен боевики Names of eight captive militants, aged between 21 and 49, established, - ATO speaker. LIST Over the day yesterday, nine pro-Russian militants were killed, eight received wounds. They were members of four different illegal armed groups. 234 799 218 Incidents

ярош Eight militants captured in combat action in Donbas, - Yarosh Independent MP and leader of DIIA movement Dmytro Yarosh announced of a successful operation by Ukrainian scouts, resulting in seizing of eight pro-Russian militants. 312 839 456 Ukrainian Politics

донбасс заложники "You would not hear about them on television; they are not heroes of talk shows; they are simply Heroes!" - Kolesnyk reminded about 11 Ukrainians held captive by terrorists. PHOTOS Deputy of the Kryvyi Rih City Council Mykola Kolesnyk urged to assist the release of hostages held captive by terrorists in the Donbas. 17 058 12 Ukrainian Politics

Several formulas of hostages exchange, including two-for-two and 25-for-50, currently discussed, - adviser to SBU chairman Several options of exchange of hostages are discussed prior to the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group to settle the situation in the Donbas, which will be held in Minsk tomorrow, June 15. 2 793 8 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

плен "Alive. Forgotten. Captive," - relatives of Kirovohrad fighters seek their release for 481 days. PHOTOS It has been 481 days since relatives of captive Ukrainian soldiers from the 3rd Separate Spetsnaz Regiment are struggling to get their loved ones released. 35 951 86 Ukrainian Politics

савченко освобождение цеголко Savchenko, Poroshenko talked liberation of hostages, PACE session attendance Verkhovna Rada deputy (Batkivshchyna faction) Nadiia Savchenko and President Petro Poroshenko have discussed the release of Ukrainian hostages held in Russia and in the Donbas as well as Savchenko's participation in the upcoming session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, scheduled for June 20-27. 24 905 154 Ukrainian Politics

Russian-backed terrorists release captured OSCE driver The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) driver who was reported missing two days ago has been returned to the observers in Donetsk. 24 245 61 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

OSCE driver missing in Luhansk region may be held captive by militants, - National Police Luhansk regional police believe that the missing OSCE driver could have been abducted by pro-Russian militants. 7 249 27 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

плен 113 Ukrainian hostages remain in militants' captivity, 642 people missing in Donbas, - SBU Head Adviser Tandit The Ukrainian side continues its search for 642 people who went missing in the Donbas. 8 007 17 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

владимир жемчугов "His two arms and part of bowel are amputated, he's blind and breathes through ear," - "LPR" militants hold Volodymyr Zhemchuhov captive. PHOTOS Ukrainian civilian Volodymyr Zhemchuhov, who had incidentally tripped a wire, is being held captive by "Luhansk People's Republic" militants and is being accused of sabotage activities. 199 901 119 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Negotiators on Donbas to tackle prisoner swap on June 1, - Kuchma Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement of situation in the Donbas will address the issue of prisoner exchange at the meeting on June 1. 2 487 6 Incidents

савченко шимонович Savchenko discussed liberation of prisoners with UN Assistant Secretary-General Šimonović. PHOTO MP Nadiia Savchenko met with Ivan Šimonović, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights. 39 955 111 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

плен 114 people still held hostages in Donbas, 11 in Russia. 3,044 Ukrainians released from captivity over two years, - SBU's Tandit As of May 26, 3,044 Ukrainians have been found or released from captivity. 4 661 47 Incidents

About 110 hostages kept by terrorists in Donbas, – Tandit There are more than 110 hostages kept by the terrorists in the Donbas at the moment. 2 991 24 Ukrainian Politics

Ukraine gave "DPR" list of 25 hostages, ready to swap them for 50 militants, - MP Iryna Herashchenko Ukraine suggests swapping 25 "DPR"-held hostages for 50 militants before Easter. 5 368 33 Ukrainian Politics

Interior Ministry, National Guard casualties in ATO make 308 soldiers killed, 1228 - wounded, - Minister Avakov Official statistics does not include those killed Ukrainian heroes who did not have time to obtain corresponding documents and enlist in the Interior Ministry and the National Guard. 2 000 7 Society

военнослужащие ато широкино военне Three soldiers wounded yesterday, two captured, - ATO speaker Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the east of Ukraine yesterday, no one from the Armed Forces of Ukraine was killed. Two Ukrainian military were captured by pro-Russian militants. 52 445 73 Ukrainian Politics

савченко "Trial is farce, sentence - bluff. I start dry hunger strike on April 6 and go to the bitter end!" - lawyer Polozov published new letter of Savchenko. PHOTO Nadiia Savchenko's lawyer Mykola Polozov has published a new letter by the Ukrainian pilot, illegally held in the Russian Federation. 28 914 82 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

192 fighters killed, four captured, 26 missing during ATO, - National Guard Commander Allerov 192 National Guard fighters have died in the course of anti-terrorist operation in the Donbas. 6 398 29 Ukrainian Politics

савченко боевик "лнр" илим "LPR" terrorist Ilim confirmed Savchenko's innocence: When journalists came under fire, she was in Luhansk An "LPR" terrorist (callsign "Ilim") claims that he personally captured Ukrainian soldier Nadiia Savchenko and brought her to Luhansk. 60 710 57 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Ukrainian hostages in Russia

“Militants still hold 16 of our guys,” - Ukrainian soldier Yaroshevych liberated from captivity There are 16 more people in the militants’ captivity, where Ukrainian soldiers released yesterday were held. 20 623 15 Society

плен Three Ukrainians released from Russian militants’ captivity, - Poroshenko. PHOTO Two Ukrainian servicemen and one civilian have been freed from terrorists’ captivity. 30 044 43 Incidents

варфоломеева "Officers earn about 70,000 and ordinary militants around 15,000 rubles," - former terrorists’ hostage Mariia Varfolomeieva on salaries in ‘LPR’. VIDEO Ordinary terrorists in the Donbas earn about 15,000 Russian rubles per month. 38 948 80 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

варфоломеева Journalist Maria Varfolomeieva released from terrorists' captivity, - Poroshenko Ukrainian journalist Maria Varfolomeieva has been released from the captivity of terrorists. 87 376 208 Ukrainian Politics

One Ukrainian soldier killed, one captured in landmine blast last week, - ATO spokesman One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another captured after their truck tripped a mine on Feb. 25. 15 349 36 Incidents

плен Three Ukrainians released from terrorists' captivity, - Poroshenko (updated). PHOTOS Three Ukrainians were released from captivity today, Feb. 26. 16 718 22 Ukrainian Politics

nfylbn 133 Ukrainians held captive by pro-Russian militants, - SBU head's adviser Tandit. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine has announced that 133 Ukrainians are being held captive by pro-Russian militants in the Donbas. 2 375 16 Ukrainian Politics

Terrorists offer exchanging 50 militants for 25 Ukrainian hostages The terrorist organization "Donetsk People's Republic" intends to offer an exchange of prisoners in the format of 25 for 50. 17 406 72 Incidents

Tortures of hostages stopped due to Minsk groups – Iryna Herashchenko The ‘DPR’ and ‘LPR’ militants have stopped to torture Ukrainian hostages due to the actions of the contact groups. 5 967 57 Ukrainian Politics

плен Four Ukrainian heroes released from terrorists' captivity – Poroshenko. PHOTOS Four Ukrainian soldiers have been released from captivity of the terrorists. 53 524 115 Ukrainian Politics