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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

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. 6 867 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. 7 081 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. 1 795 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. 7 123 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. 26 794 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. 10 262 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. 11 663 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. 5 221 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. 3 353 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. 131 125 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. 9 591 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. 13 938 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. 6 284 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. 361 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. 4 641 17 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Ukraine held a new prisoner exchange with Russia on 26 June Ukraine and Russia carry out new POW swap: most defenders held captive since 2022. PHOTOS On June 26, a new group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was returned from Russian captivity. 6 764 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

war Our troops captured 2 Russians in Donetsk direction: "We dropped water and indicated route with grenades". VIDEO In the Donetsk direction, soldiers of the 113th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade captured two occupiers with the help of a drone. 4 146 5 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Fighters captured Russian millionaire fraudster Captured dollar millionaire from Novosibirsk. VIDEO Klimov Daniil Nikolaevich, 29.04.2004, a serviceman of the 74th Brigade of the RF Armed Forces, 1444th Regiment. A dollar millionaire, an "officer" from Novosibirsk. For 2.5 years, his call centre has been extorting money from Russians. 15 655 26 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

war 12 Russian soldiers surrendered after work of Ukrainian drone operator in Sumy region. VIDEO In Sumy region, 12 Russian soldiers voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered to Ukrainian defenders. This happened after a Ukrainian operator delivered a precision strike with a drop of ammunition. 8 184 17 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Ukrainian Armed Forces capture Russian soldiers in Donetsk region National Guard troops captured group of Russian infantrymen in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO In the Pokrovsk direction in Donetsk region, fighters of a special purpose reconnaissance company of the 14th operational brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Chervona Kalyna" captured at least five Russian servicemen. 9 438 9 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Withdrawal from Azovstal. Sviatoslav Palamar gave details We didn’t want to surrender from Azovstal, we only planned to evacuate wounded and dead, - "Azov" deputy commander Palamar The deputy commander of the "Azov" regiment, Sviatoslav Palamar, said that the Russians had given an ultimatum to the soldiers when they were leaving "Azovstal". 8 790 32 Previously in trend: Azov Brigade Mariupol defense

POW FPV drone crew commander of 414th Separate Brigade "Magyar Birds" captures occupier using UAV. VIDEO During a combat sortie, the crew commander of the FPV drone from the 414th separate brigade "Magyar Birds," call sign "Pain," captured a Russian occupier using the drone. 3 422 8

Journalist Khyliuk in captivity of the occupiers. What is known Ukrainian journalist Khyliuk is alive and in colony in Vladimir region of Russian Federation, - warrior released from captivity Russians are detaining journalist Dmytro Khyliuk in penal colony 7 in Pakino, Vladimir region of the Russian Federation. 4 210 3 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Oleksandr Strafun has returned from Russian captivity After three years in captivity: Mariupol defender Oleksandr Strafun returns to his homeland. PHOTO OF THE DAY A volunteer fighter and defender of Mariupol, Oleksandr Strafun, was released as part of the prisoner exchange. 9 987 20 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

Russian surrenders After drone attack, "three hundredth" Russian read Ukrainian leaflet with offer to surrender and raised his hands up. VIDEO The occupier surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers after being wounded by a Ukrainian drone attack. 9 521 11 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

POW Chernyshov interview with Butusov Plus channel Battle for Tetkino: eight Russians surrendered. VIDEO Kursk buffer zone: Russian troops preserved their lives by surrendering. One of them – grenade launcher assistant and rifleman Vladislav Chernyshev. 7 067 30 Previously in trend: Combat operations in the Kursk region

Ukraine and Russia to exchange prisoners on June 9, 2025 Mariupol defenders who spent more than 3 years in captivity are among those liberated today - Coordination Center Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of the prisoner exchange took place under the agreements in Istanbul. 3 889 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia is manipulating issue of repatriation of bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders within framework of Istanbul agreements, - Coordination Centre Ukraine has denied the statements of a number of Russian media outlets about the alleged beginning of the return of the bodies of fallen soldiers in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. 2 667 5 Previously in trend: repatriation of the bodies of fallen soldiers

Ukrainian Armed Forces capture Russians in Toretsk direction Ukrainian defenders captured another group of Russian occupiers in Toretsk direction. VIDEO Ukrainian troops captured another group of Russian occupants in the Toretsk direction. 5 646 6 Previously in trend: Situation in the Toretsk direction captured occupiers

Two foreign mercenaries of Russia surrendering to drone Two foreign mercenaries from Russian army raised their hands in front of Ukrainian drone and surrendered. VIDEO Two foreign mercenaries fighting for the Russian army surrendered on the Zaporizhzhia direction after raising their hands under the threat of a Ukrainian drone strike. 12 558 29 Previously in trend: foreign mercenaries in russian army

Ukrainian paratroopers captured Russian soldiers in Kursk Ukrainian paratroopers captured group of Russian soldiers in Kursk. VIDEO Paratroopers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with adjacent units, again captured a group of Russian servicemen in the Kursk sector. 11 829 30 Previously in trend: AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region

daughter of a Ukrainian released from captivity Father of girl who was recently returned from occupation was also freed from captivity. VIDEO The father of a girl who had recently been returned from the TOT was released from enemy captivity. 4 143 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW exchange on May 23 Ukraine brings home 270 service members and 120 civilian Ukrainians – Coordination Headquarters On May 23, the first day of the "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange, 390 Ukrainians were freed from Russian captivity – 270 military personnel and 120 civilians. 9 193 21 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

SOF captured six occupiers. Video of operation SOF soldiers captured six occupiers behind enemy lines: "If you don’t get out you’re f#cked up, you’re surrounded". VIDEO During special operations behind enemy lines, the SOF soldiers forced six Russian soldiers to surrender. 14 778 34 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Woman learns for first time that her son is alive and in captivity Woman learns for first time that her son is alive and in Russian captivity: he asked to tell you not to worry. VIDEO The mother of a Ukrainian soldier found out that her son was alive and in captivity. 6 358 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Liberated soldier sings "Chervona Kalyna" In first minutes on his native soil, soldier of Armed Forces of Ukraine, freed from captivity, sings "Chervona Kalyna". VIDEO In his first moments on his native land, the Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman who was freed from captivity sang "Chervona Kalyna". 5 379 16 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Togolese citizens captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces: they were recruited by Russia Ukrainian forces capture Togolese citizens fighting for Russia – Togo’s Foreign Ministry says they were lured under false pretenses Ukrainian servicemembers have taken prisoner citizens of Togo, a West African country, who had been fighting on the side of the Russian army. Among them are young students allegedly lured by Moscow under false pretenses. 5 075 25 Previously in trend: foreign mercenaries in russian army Captured Russian mercenaries

SSU exposes four torturers of Armed Forces of Ukraine in Luhansk region Ukrainian prisoners tortured in Luhansk region: four Russian torturers exposed, - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service of Ukraine has served a notice of suspicion to four former employees of the penal colony in Sukhodilsk who, after the occupation of Luhansk region, collaborated with the enemy and participated in the torture of Ukrainian soldiers. 2 618 8 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons

Victoria Roshchyna’s body shows signs of torture Russians tortured Ukrainian journalist Roshchyna, some organs removed to hide brutal traces of torture - Prosecutor General’s Office Numerous signs of torture and ill-treatment were found on the body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity, including abrasions and hemorrhages on various parts of the body, and a broken rib. Experts also saw possible signs of electric shock. 7 362 32 Previously in trend: Death of Victoria Roshchyna

Russian surrenders to drone Occupier raises his hands up and surrenders to Ukrainian drone. VIDEO The occupier raised his hands up in the air and surrendered to the Ukrainian drone. 4 149 7 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Drone operators rescue soldiers from captivity Drone operators freed three Ukrainian soldiers from captivity. VIDEO The UAV crews of the 1st Separate Tank Siversk Brigade forced the enemy to flee and abandon our troops by delivering precise payload drops. The "UAVs" then guided the soldiers to safety. 11 204 21 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

war One against six: National Guard soldier single-handedly captured group of Russian stormtroopers near Siversk. VIDEO Ukrainian reconnaissance man Denys Melnychuk (call sign "Mel") performed a real feat near Siversk. A warrior of the "Power of Freedom" battalion of the 4th "Rubizh" National Guard Brigade single-handedly attacked the enemy position and captured six Russian stormtroopers. 11 376 16 Previously in trend: Situation at front

How many people went missing during the Russian war More than 60 thousand people are missing in Ukraine - Dobroserdov Currently, more than 60,000 missing persons are wanted. About 10 thousand of them are in captivity. 1 643 0 Previously in trend: Missed in action during the war

Special Operations Forces captured three Russian soldiers SOF fighters carried out successful raid on enemy positions and captured three ruscists. VIDEO The soldiers of the 6th Ranger Regiment of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a successful raid on the positions of Russian troops in one of the operational areas and captured three occupants. 3 965 1 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Russian prisoner 16 years in high-security colony: for first time in Russia, military man is tried for voluntarily surrendering to Armed Forces of Ukraine In Russia, the state prosecution has requested 16 years in a maximum security colony for Russian serviceman Roman Ivanishin, who is accused of voluntary surrender to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the first time in Russia. 13 655 32 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Case against occupier

The Special Operation Forces captured 14 Russians in the Kursk region SOF captured 14 Russian occupiers in Kursk region, including three officers. PHOTO In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, units of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured 14 Russian invaders, including three officers. 8 335 28 Previously in trend: AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region captured occupiers

Photo exhibition in Brussels about journalists in captivity Photo exhibition dedicated to Ukrainian journalists held in Russian captivity opened in European Parliament. PHOTO The Imprisoned Freedom photo exhibition dedicated to Ukrainian journalists illegally held in Russian captivity was opened in Brussels. The opening took place in the European Parliament's information hub. 789 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity

Captured Chinese soldier tells how he surrendered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces Times reported that one of Chinese fighting for Russia voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian forces A Chinese soldier who signed a contract with the Russian army came to the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Donetsk region at night and surrendered himself. 5 098 10 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals Participation of Chinese nationals in the war against Ukraine