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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

Budanov told which prisoners are difficult to exchange Budanov regarding prisoner exchange: Certain categories of prisoners have become ’problematic’ for both Ukraine and Russia The head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said that the exchange of certain categories of prisoners is difficult to perceive in the societies of Ukraine and Russia. 6 851 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POWs National Guardsman from Rubizh Brigade stormed dugout on his own and captured six Russian soldiers. VIDEO A soldier of the 4th Battalion, "Force of Freedom," of the 4th Brigade of the National Guard "Rubizh" launched a solo assault and stormed an enemy dugout where a group of Russian infantrymen was positioned. 12 379 38 Previously in trend: War

occupier He wanted to have Russian passport but ended up wounded and beaten by Russian commander: story of mercenary from Kyrgyzstan. VIDEO Kyrgyz citizen Altynbek Ibraimov joined the Russian forces to obtain citizenship. However, the promised "quiet service as a driver" quickly turned into a "meat assault," where he was abandoned. 4 807 13 Previously in trend: War

captivity, torture Former POWs will be able to receive disability status and state support - Ministry of Health In Ukraine, people who survived illegal detention and torture during the war will now be able to receive disability status and appropriate state aid. 819 4

assault Defence forces eliminate 8 occupiers during night assault in Donetsk region, capture 2 more. VIDEO Soldiers of the Bravo Special Forces Group, in cooperation with pilots and fire support, conducted a successful night assault on enemy positions in the Donetsk region. As a result, 8 enemy combatants were eliminated and two invaders were taken prisoner. The trenches were secured, and the enemy was demoralized. 6 414 5 Previously in trend: War

nine occupiers surrender Nine occupiers under white flag heading for captivity in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO A group of occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction raised a white flag and surrendered. 13 852 23

POWs How Ukrainian Defence Forces managed to neutralise group of Russian stormtroopers and find out information from occupiers. VIDEO Border guards of the "Forpost" brigade in the Vovchansk sector captured six Russian stormtroopers. 6 578 6 Previously in trend: War

POW One out of 30 Russian assaultmen survived – he was taken prisoner by our territorial defense forces in Siversk direction. VIDEO In the Siversk direction, soldiers of the 118th Separate Cherkasy Territorial Defence Brigade captured the only surviving Russian assaultman from a group of 30. 11 593 27 Previously in trend: War

Russians severely tortured American Hubbard in captivit Russians tortured 73-year-old American Hubbard, who was captured in Izium in 2022 - NYT Russian occupiers tortured 73-year-old US citizen Stephen James Hubbard, who was taken prisoner in Izium, Kharkiv region, in April 2022. 7 739 22 Previously in trend: War

Soldiers of the National Guard Brigade captured 6 Russians in the Pokrovsk direction Soldiers of NGU "Spartan" brigade captured six invaders in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO Soldiers of the 3rd Operational Brigade of the Spartan NGU replenished Ukraine's "exchange fund" with six Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction. 7 988 11

Paratroopers captured 21 occupiers in Kursk region of Russia Ukrainian paratroopers capture 21 Russian servicemen in Kursk region. VIDEO Ukrainian paratroopers and adjacent units captured 21 Russian army servicemen in the Kursk region. 16 145 63

POW First, I shot myself in arm, then Russian command punished me, and I spent month in pit – stories of prisoners. VIDEO In the Pokrovsk direction, fighters of the 425th separate assault regiment "SKALA" (ROCK) captured two Russian servicemen from the 74th motorised rifle brigade of the Russian Federation. 5 783 10 Previously in trend: War

captivity Special Operations Forces capture North Korean soldier for first time in Kursk region. VIDEO For the first time, the Special Operations Forces captured a DPRK army soldier in Kursk region. 28 727 69 Previously in trend: War

captured Russian Russian prisoner tells about losses of DPRK military: "There were Koreans ahead of us, but I saw only dead ones". VIDEO Zlobin Andrey Valerievich from the 11th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Russian Army was captured by Ukrainian paratroopers in the village of Makhnovka, Kursk region. 11 107 38 Previously in trend: War

POW Ukrainian drone dropped leaflet, and occupier, from Storm V unit, decided to surrender voluntarily. VIDEO In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian soldiers captured a Russian soldier mobilised from among prisoners. Common Soldier German Koniakhin, born in 1970, a native of Bataysk, Rostov region, surrendered voluntarily after reading a leaflet dropped by a Ukrainian drone. 7 083 13 Previously in trend: War

captives Six soldiers of 425th Skala Battalion capture 8 Russian assaultmen near Pokrovsk. VIDEO Ukrainian soldiers from the 425th Separate Assault Battalion "Skala" (Rock) near Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, captured 8 Russian invaders during combat operations. 9 096 9 Previously in trend: War

POW Special operations soldiers eliminate 20 occupiers and take another Russian invader prisoner. VIDEO Soldiers of the 3rd Regiment of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated 20 occupiers in the Zaporizhzhia direction and captured another Russian invader. 11 502 27 Previously in trend: War

war Ukrainian troops in Kursk region capture Russian prisoner mobilized for war. VIDEO A Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group captured a serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces, who had previously served his sentence in a penal colony, in the area of Tiotkino, Kursk region. In a conversation with the Ukrainian military, the prisoner told about the lawlessness he faced in a Russian prison and how he was forced to take part in the war against Ukraine. 14 945 21

Houthis release crew of Galaxy Leader vessel seized in 2023 DIU and MFA evacuate three Ukrainian sailors held captive by Yemeni Houthis The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, evacuated three Ukrainian sailors, crew members of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, who were held captive by Yemeni Houthis. 973 3

POWs Fighters of 3rd SAB went into enemy’s rear and captured 6 occupiers who took Ukrainians for their own. VIDEO Soldiers of the 2nd Company of the 2nd Assault Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade infiltrated the enemy's rear during a combat operation and captured 6 Russian soldiers who mistook Ukrainians for their own. 11 180 16 Previously in trend: War

Special Forces cleared the positions Defense forces consolidated their positions in occupied territories and eliminated 3 invaders, capturing another one. VIDEO The operators of the 3rd Regiment of the Special Operations Forces cleared the enemy positions and brought in a friendly unit. 5 467 3 Previously in trend: War

war Soldiers of Ranger Brigade stop enemy’s attack in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO In the eastern sector, Russian troops continue unsuccessful attempts to break through the defences of the Ukrainian military. Another enemy attack in the Vovchansk direction was stopped by the 71st separate hunting ranger brigade, effectively using drones, artillery and small arms. 4 244 8 Previously in trend: War

war Ukrainian Armed Forces repel attack, destroy equipment and capture 6 occupiers in Vovchansk direction. VIDEO Border guards of the Forpost brigade repelled an assault in the Vovchansk direction, destroyed enemy equipment and captured six occupiers. 4 312 2 Previously in trend: War

occupiers Soldiers of 79th SAAB capture seven invaders in Kurakhove direction. VIDEO Soldiers of the 79th Separate Air Assault Tavriia Brigade conducted a successful operation in the Kurakhove direction, capturing seven Russian invaders. 3 732 10

Ukrainian paratroopers Ukrainian paratroopers capture 27 Russian soldiers in Kursk region. VIDEO Airborne assault troops, together with adjacent units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, captured 27 Russian servicemen in the Kursk region. 10 773 24

prisoners of war Soldiers of 12th Azov Brigade captured 23 Russian invaders during assault in Toretsk direction. VIDEO Soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade captured 23 occupiers during an assault in the Toretsk direction. The Russians surrendered voluntarily: they were found in basements. 13 366 43 Previously in trend: War

Zelenskyy Ukraine is ready to hand over its captured soldiers to DPRK if Kim Jong-un organizes return of Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to hand over its soldiers to DPRK dictator Kim Jong Un if he can arrange an exchange for our soldiers held captive in Russia. 9 871 80

War Fighters of 155th SMB captured 4 occupiers in Pokrovsk direction: "Thank you guys for saving our lives". VIDEO Soldiers of the 155th separate mechanised brigade named after Anna of Kyiv captured four Russian invaders in the Pokrovsk sector. 9 506 18 Previously in trend: War

505 Marines returned from Russian captivity Ukraine manages to return 505 marines from Russian captivity - Coordination Center Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, thanks to the joint work of the Coordination Headquarters and other structures, 505 Ukrainian marines have been returned from Russian captivity. 2 655 0 Previously in trend: War

captured Russians Our soldiers are transporting four prisoners in full trailer at high speed: "Welcome to Ukraine!". VIDEO Ukrainian defenders captured four Russian soldiers and showed how they were transporting them. 12 831 19 Previously in trend: War

I want to live project More than battalion of Russians have already surrendered as part of the "I Want to Live" project, - Coordination Center The total number of Russian soldiers who surrendered as part of the "I Want to Live" project is more than a battalion. 1 824 3

return from captivity In 2024, 356 more people were returned from Russian captivity than in 2023 - Coordination Center In 2024, Ukraine managed to return 356 more people from Russian captivity than in 2023. 466 2

Former Espresso journalist Roman Borshch returns from Russian captivity As part of today’s exchange, Ukrainian journalist Roman Borshch returned: he was held in Russian captivity for 33 months During the exchange of prisoners on December 30, former journalist of the Espresso TV channel and Mariupol defender Roman Borshch returned home. 7 115 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve Ukraine returns 189 defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On New Year's Eve, 30 December, Ukraine returned 189 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. 11 811 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russia lies about captured pilot in Kursk region Information about capturing of our pilot in Kursk region is not true - Air Forces Russian propaganda media are spreading information that a Ukrainian pilot has surrendered in the Kursk region. This is a fake. 8 007 13

POWs of the Russian army Soldiers of 3rd SAB eliminate six occupiers in Kharkiv region, capture four more. VIDEO In the Kharkiv region, soldiers of the 2nd Mechanised Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade (SAB) captured four occupiers despite continuous attacks by Russian infantry. Six Russian invaders from the same group were eliminated. 5 565 9 Previously in trend: War

How many Ukrainians died in captivity 184 Ukrainians have died in Russian captivity since beginning of large-scale invasion, - Coordination Staff. INFOGRAPHICS Since 24 February 2022, 184 Ukrainian military and civilians have died in Russian captivity. 843 5

Defence forces capture DPRK soldier for first time Defence forces capture first DPRK soldier - South Korean intelligence. PHOTO On Friday, 27 December, South Korean intelligence confirmed that Ukrainian troops had captured a wounded North Korean soldier in the Kursk sector. 23 304 46

RF Russian POWs would rather "surrender" than fight: "There is no evacuation, no cars are sent, snow was melted today". VIDEO The soldiers of the 6th Regiment of the Special Operations Forces replenished the exchange fund after a series of payload drops on the heads of enemy troops. The surviving occupiers themselves are begging the SOF to take them prisoner. 6 484 15 Previously in trend: War

POW of the Russian Federation Occupier surrendered to AFU soldiers in Kursk region: Russian bumped into our fighters while looking for water. VIDEO Russian soldier Filip Tsurkan, a resident of the Novgorod region, decided to try to "enrich" his family by going to the military enlistment office. It happened on 25 November 2024, when he officially enlisted in the occupation army to finally pay child support for his children. 8 283 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians show video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in war in Ukraine Russia releases video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in Ukraine: country verifies information. VIDEO Russian propagandists have spread a video showing an Australian citizen allegedly captured during the fighting in Ukraine being interrogated. Australia is currently checking the authenticity of the video and identifying the man. 6 735 9 Previously in trend: War

Russians do not even take wounded from battlefield Russians do not take away either wounded or killed from battlefield - OTG "Kharkiv" Russian soldiers leave the wounded on the battlefield. In case of injury, the occupier has instructions to commit suicide. 3 695 24 Previously in trend: War

captivity Russian man, holding icon in his hands and with white flag on his back, surrenders to UAV. VIDEO 18+ On the frontline, Ukrainian soldiers from the 68th separate hunting brigade named after Oleksa Dovbush recorded the moment when a Russian soldier on a bicycle fled from his "comrades in arms" and surrendered to a drone, holding an icon and wearing a white flag on his back. 21 665 68 Previously in trend: War

war Captured occupiers said that due to lack of food, they were forced to eat tree bark and dead cow. VIDEO Ukrainian soldiers of the 61st Separate Mechanised Brigade successfully repelled an attempted assault by Russian marines from the 177th Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces near the village of Kurilovka, Kursk region. 7 129 69 Previously in trend: War

POWs Ukrainian soldiers captured "flag bearer" with tricolour in Kharkiv region: "I’m not occupier, I have just waved flag". VIDEO In the Kharkiv region, soldiers of the "Karakurt Colony" company of the 2nd mechanised battalion of the 3rd separate assault brigade cleared the village of Kopanky, where they had seen the Russian tricolour being raised the day before. 15 363 46 Previously in trend: War

війна "I went to war to improve my personal life": Russian marine surrenders to captivity in Kursk region. VIDEO In the Kursk region, the Ukrainian military captured another Russian occupier, Roman Shesler, a marine of the 810th Marine Brigade of the Russian Federation. The prisoner admitted that he signed the contract to improve his personal life. After 10 days of training, he was sent to the front, where the command left him without food and water. 8 059 36 Previously in trend: War

How many Ukrainian mayors are held captive by Russia: Zelenskyy's statement At least six city mayors and heads of communities are now in Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the world has little reaction to what Russia is doing to Ukrainian prisoners. 908 6 Previously in trend: War

Yevhen Matveev Russians tortured mayor of Dniprorudne Matveev in captivity, his body was handed over during last exchange. PHOTO The Russian occupiers tortured the mayor of Dniprorudne, Zaporizhzhia region, Yevhen Matveev, in captivity. 12 822 18