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captivity

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Within the intense geopolitical climate, news of captivity unveils the harrowing stories of Ukrainian defenders held by Russia. Recent events highlight the captivity and eventual release of 10 Ukrainian servicemen, whose accounts provide a vivid picture of imprisonment and emotional reunions. This underscores the dire situation of many, with at least 375 Ukrainians confirmed dead due to torture in captivity. These narratives are crucial for understanding the ongoing conflict, especially with complaints from Azov fighters and issues regarding prisoner exchanges. Such events raise significant concerns about the psychological and physical toll on captives and the strategies employed to secure their freedom.

What measures are being taken to address the issue of Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia?

The Ukrainian government, in collaboration with international organizations, is actively working to secure the release of prisoners through diplomatic talks and organized prisoner exchanges. These efforts are pivotal in reuniting families and addressing human rights violations.

How many Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity so far?

Since the conflict began, over 8,000 Ukrainians have been successfully returned from Russian captivity through various prisoner exchanges and international negotiations, as coordinated by Ukrainian authorities.

What challenges do released Ukrainian prisoners face after captivity?

Released Ukrainian prisoners often face severe psychological distress, physical injuries, and illnesses as a result of torture and inhumane conditions while in captivity. Rehabilitation and support services are essential for their recovery.

What impact has Russian detainment had on Ukrainian civilians?

Many Ukrainian civilians have been unlawfully detained, subjected to torture, and held in degrading conditions. International bodies are actively investigating these human rights abuses to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent further occurrences.

Are there confirmed reports of torture in Russian captivity?

Yes, there are numerous confirmed reports, including the deaths of at least 375 Ukrainians due to torture while in Russian custody. Over 95% of prisoners have reported experiencing some form of ill-treatment during their captivity.

How is the issue of missing Ukrainian defenders being handled?

The Ukrainian government, along with international human rights organizations, is actively searching for missing defenders, collecting data, and organizing exchanges to ensure their safe return. These efforts are ongoing and critical to familial reunification.

What has been the role of international organizations in resolving captivity issues?

International organizations have played a significant role in advocating for the release of captives, documenting abuses, and exerting diplomatic pressure on Russia to adhere to international human rights conventions and prisoner exchange agreements.

What strategies are being employed to secure the release of remaining prisoners?

The strategies include diplomatic negotiations, alliances with international bodies, leveraging media attention, and direct appeals to organizations such as the Red Cross and United Nations to address the systemic issues and expedite prisoner releases.

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Articles captivity

"Prison guards would say to me during shakedowns, "Khyliuk, why are you so thin?" I weighed about 55 kg. Now I weigh 74," journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, one year after captivity "Prison guards would say to me during shakedowns, "Khyliuk, why are you so thin?" I weighed about 55 kg. Now I weigh 74," journalist Dmytro Khyliuk, one year after captivity When journalist Dmytro Khyliuk was released from Russian captivity in a prisoner exchange in August 2025, and all his colleagues wanted to interview him, Censor.NET decided to wait and speak with Dmytro a year later. We wanted to learn how he had readjusted to life in Ukraine, how he had reconstructed his view of the world after three and a half years in the information vacuum of Russian prisons, and what Ukraine looked like to him in the fifth year of the war. 7 264 3 Previously in trend: Abduction of journalist Dmytro Khyliuk Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity

Clearing operation and capture of prisoner in Mala Tokmachka: account by Deputy Commander of 3rd Battalion of 123rd TDF Brigade Clearing operation and capture of prisoner in Mala Tokmachka: account by Deputy Commander of 3rd Battalion of 123rd TDF Brigade Over the past year, a commander of the 123rd Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) Brigade has carried out dozens of combat missions to Mala Tokmachka, taken part in clearing operations, captured occupiers, evacuated the wounded, and supplied infantry with ammunition and provisions, while after missions he fed dogs and cats abandoned in the village. In the interview, the officer speaks about the most dangerous operations, enemy losses, his family, and explains why being "written off" is not yet an option for him. 4 629 5 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction

"Azov" soldier with call sign Beretta: "They beat everyone in captivity. During interrogations, they are especially cruel" "Azov" soldier with call sign Beretta: "They beat everyone in captivity. During interrogations, they are especially cruel" Eighteen Russian prisoners of war—that was the "haul" gathered by fighters from the International Battalion of the 12th Brigade "Azov" in less than a day. This happened in December last year on the penultimate day of the operation to clear the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz in Donetsk Oblast. 12 116 14 Previously in trend: Azov Brigade

"I survived Mariupol, then had to survive captivity" – Artur Shkeul, 501st Separate Marine Battalion "I survived Mariupol, then had to survive captivity" – Artur Shkeul, 501st Separate Marine Battalion Artur Shkeul, a marine from Berdiansk, signed his contract in 2016 and had already gained combat experience in Donbas before 2022. His brother Vladyslav served alongside him and nearly lost his life in 2019. Artur had to personally save his brother, holding a neck tamponade. 6 289 1 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

He was buried, but returned alive: how case of serviceman Nazar Daletskyi will affect DNA testing system He was buried, but returned alive: how case of serviceman Nazar Daletskyi will affect DNA testing system Ukraine will review the results of DNA tests of servicemen carried out using a single testing method. The Interior Ministry made the decision after the case of serviceman Nazar Daletskyi, who was declared dead and buried in the Lviv region in 2023, but returned alive from Russian captivity on February 5 this year as part of another prisoner exchange. 12 609 15 Previously in trend: DNA identification of the deceased

Torture by handbook: what happens to civilian Ukrainians in Russian penal colonies and why military are marked with brilliant green Torture by handbook: what happens to civilian Ukrainians in Russian penal colonies and why military are marked with brilliant green The Supreme Court has upheld the first-instance court’s ruling sentencing Denys Kulykovskyi, the commandant of the Russian torture site "Izoliatsiia" in occupied Donetsk (nicknamed "Palych"), to 15 years in prison. The update was reported on Facebook by lawyer Oleh Horbachov, who represents journalist Stanislav Asieiev, who was held there. 13 743 14 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons Torture of Ukrainians in Russia

They jumped head-first off top bunk to break their necks. They were ready to do anything not to go hungry. For example, take blame for crime - Dmytro Turkivskyi on his time in captivity They jumped head-first off top bunk to break their necks. They were ready to do anything not to go hungry. For example, take blame for crime - Dmytro Turkivskyi on his time in captivity Dmytro Turkivskyi is a serviceman of the 1st Separate Battalion of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade. At just 19, he found himself at the very heart of Russia’s assault on Mariupol. Forty-two days of defense, captivity, and 1,246 days in imprisonment - trials that seem unimaginable to most became his reality. 10 544 7

Volodymyr Mykolaienko: Three weeks before Kherson was seized, President came and held press conference saying we were secure in this direction Volodymyr Mykolaienko: Three weeks before Kherson was seized, President came and held press conference saying we were secure in this direction Former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko considers August 24 his second birthday. It was on Independence Day this year that he returned home from Russian captivity. He had spent more than three years there after being abducted by the Russians from his hometown, which was already under occupation at the start of the full-scale invasion. 18 244 20 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Feat of Artist’s group: Four captured 15 Feat of Artist’s group: Four captured 15 On December 19, four Russian IFVs broke through to the village of Zahryzove in the Kharkiv region and landed two platoons of troops, numbering over 40 people, in the rear of Ukrainian positions. Pavel Holchynko’s assault group, codenamed Artist, from the 78th Separate Airborne Regiment, received orders to clear the settlement of Russian infantry. 6 063 9 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Those who remained under occupation taken into army: How former ATO soldier captured by "Svoboda" battalion Those who remained under occupation taken into army: How former ATO soldier captured by "Svoboda" battalion Why Pavlo was unable to leave the occupation, how he ended up in Putin’s army, and later returned to Ukraine, but in captivity to the soldiers of the "Svoboda" battalion. 15 059 22

Captured occupier on his fellow soldiers in Kursk region: "Lifespan there is 2-3 days. Everyone sent there is doomed" Captured occupier on his fellow soldiers in Kursk region: "Lifespan there is 2-3 days. Everyone sent there is doomed" Kursk buffer zone: Russian servicemen surrendered to stay alive. One of them is Vladislav Chernyshev, an assistant grenadier and rifleman. 90 840 17

From captivity - with five captured Russians: story of aerial reconnaissance man from 82nd SAAB Bardak From captivity - with five captured Russians: story of aerial reconnaissance man from 82nd SAAB Bardak At the beginning of the Kursk offensive in August 2024, a group of four aerial reconnaissance men from the 82nd Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were captured when they unexpectedly reached an enemy position. However, the Russians soon began to realize that they themselves were surrounded. That’s when the senior pilot, code-named Bardak, convinced the enemy to surrender and released his group from captivity, bringing out five more Russians. 8 138 1

INTERVIEW WITH 19-YEAR-OLD CAPTURED RUSSIAN ASSAULTMAN WHO IS ONE TO SURVIVE FROM PLATOON INTERVIEW WITH 19-YEAR-OLD CAPTURED RUSSIAN ASSAULTMAN WHO IS ONE TO SURVIVE FROM PLATOON Soldiers of the 13th National Guard Brigade "Charter" repelled a massive attack by Russian troops during the week on one of our positions near the village of Lyptsi near Kharkiv. During one of the assaults, a wounded Russian assaultman was captured after being abandoned by his comrades. 19 790 26

"Returned tortured man had missing part of his brain, rag was sewn in instead," Anastasiia Savova, coordinator of families of captured marines "Returned tortured man had missing part of his brain, rag was sewn in instead," Anastasiia Savova, coordinator of families of captured marines The aggressor country holds Ukrainian prisoners of war in 42 pre-trial detention centers and penal colonies, where it uses numerous forms of torture, of which starvation and beatings seem the most innocuous. There is information that prisoners who are citizens of the Russian Federation have been resettled from most detention centers and colonies, which means that there is a deliberate policy of physical and mental extermination of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 32 370 34

Vasyl Stefurak: "We were addressed in Ukrainian language, and I thought that reinforcements had finally arrived. But it turned out to be paratroopers-traitors from Crimea..." Vasyl Stefurak: "We were addressed in Ukrainian language, and I thought that reinforcements had finally arrived. But it turned out to be paratroopers-traitors from Crimea..." The commander of the 3rd Mechanized Company of the 28th Brigade spent a year and three and a half months in captivity. His comrades in arms are still in captivity. 36 704 22 Previously in trend: War

"We need to stop enemy with whole country, not in way it is now: in one part of country war is ongoing, and in another part, it is not," - National Guard Officer Mykhailo Vernyhora "We need to stop enemy with whole country, not in way it is now: in one part of country war is ongoing, and in another part, it is not," - National Guard Officer Mykhailo Vernyhora Battles in Mariupol and an injury during an attempt to evacuate a Ukrainian soldier, amputation of an arm at Azovstal, captivity, release, adaptation, rehabilitation, and service again. This has been the path of Mykhailo Vernyhora, a National Guard Officer, since 2022. However, for him, the war began in 2014, with preparations for the liberation of Sloviansk in Donetsk region. And despite the loss of his arm, his fight continues. 14 511 107 Previously in trend: War

20 months in captivity. Fascinating story of musician of military orchestra 20 months in captivity. Fascinating story of musician of military orchestra 20 months in captivity, losing 40 kilograms of weight, Pushkin’s poems and Zhukov’s biography.... Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov, a native of Mariupol, a soldier of the 56th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces, a professional musician, spoke about his Russian captivity in the program "Who is with Miroshnychenko?" 16 524 12 Previously in trend: War

Wife of captured National Guard officer Valeriy Lutchenko: Many people do not even know that 103 Chernobyl NPP defenders are still in captivity Wife of captured National Guard officer Valeriy Lutchenko: Many people do not even know that 103 Chernobyl NPP defenders are still in captivity She has been fighting for almost two years to get her husband, a National Guard officer who defended the Chernobyl nuclear power plant on the first day of the full-scale Russian attack, back from captivity. During this time, her father, who was the commander of a reconnaissance platoon and fought in Donbas, was seriously wounded and died in hospital, right in front of her. So when we talked to Valeriya Lutchenko, we talked about both of them - the most important people in her life. 10 926 57 Previously in trend: War

Prisoners exchange in Ukraine: Key Issues Prisoners exchange in Ukraine: Key Issues The official stance of the Russian Federation and its secret services has been voiced by “Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR)” spokesperson Darya Morozova: the RF has no intent to fulfill any agreements on the exchange. 37 916 11 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Ukraine's New Hope Ukraine's New Hope Nadia Sacvhenko could just turn out to be Ukraine's Vaclav Havel; or its Lech Walesa; or its Nelson Mandela. 203 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Sergeant Volodymyr Kozak: How and when 10 Russian paratroopers were captured on Aug. 24, 2014 Sergeant Volodymyr Kozak: How and when 10 Russian paratroopers were captured on Aug. 24, 2014 Capture of a whole unit of the Russian Federation Armed Forces allowed radically changing foreign policy situation. The world received the most speaking evidence of Russian invasion in Ukraine. It was one of the most important moments in the war. But who and how did it? 84 519 123 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine War

How Russian Special Forces soldiers were taken captive on May 16 near Shchastia How Russian Special Forces soldiers were taken captive on May 16 near Shchastia So, that is what is known at the moment: recon element of the 3rd brigade of Russian Military Forces has come for another round of war to Ukraine. Brigade divisions leave for the war regularly – this is a part of military training. The group was staff-based, there were no “mercenaries,” all commanded by Captain Yevgeniy Yerofeyev. The unit’s headquarters is located in Bryanka. Shchastia was in the zone of responsibility of the 3rd Special Forces brigade of Russian Federation. 142 892 156 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives War

VOLUNTEER MAKSYM VAKULENKO: “SEPARATISTS MADE ME CRAWL WITH SHOT LEGS. I WAS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS BUT KEPT THINKING: ‘F*CK YOU, I WON’T PEG OUT’” VOLUNTEER MAKSYM VAKULENKO: “SEPARATISTS MADE ME CRAWL WITH SHOT LEGS. I WAS LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS BUT KEPT THINKING: ‘F*CK YOU, I WON’T PEG OUT’” I was closing the wound on my right leg with my fingers and trying to squeeze the artery on my left leg. In such condition I tried to crawl to their trenches. I crawled three-four meters watching a blood path from the car to me. I felt neither pain, nor fear, just shock. The fear came a few days after, when I realized what happened. 173 858 254