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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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TOP news captivity

Two Russian occupiers taken prisoner during battles for Chernihiv. One of them is chief of unit staff. PHOTO Two Russian occupiers taken prisoner during battles for Chernihiv. One of them is chief of unit staff. PHOTO The Armed Forces and the Guards captured two Russian servicemen during the battles for Chernihiv. 70 231 82 Previously in trend: War

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

наливайченко Russia does not hold any talks with Ukraine regarding detained commandos - Head of SBU Nalyvaichenko There have been no appeals to Ukraine regarding two detained Russian GRU soldiers on the part of the Russian Federation through the official channels. 17 585 82 Previously in trend: Captured Russian special forces operatives

чуднецов Twice in enemy captivity: Yevhen Chudnetsov, "Azov" soldier, was freed yesterday. PHOTOS Yesterday, on 6 May, a soldier of the Azov Regiment, Yevhen Chudnetsov, was released from enemy captivity. 42 475 81 Previously in trend: War

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

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

There might be about 30 Ukrainian captives in Russia According to unconfirmed reports, there might be 30 Ukrainian prisoners in the Russian Federation. 6 707 80 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

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

"They Always Need Human Shield," DPR Terrorists Have List of Prisoners of War Prohibited to Be Exchanged - Advisor to the Minister of Defense “Donetsk People’s Republic” terrorist organization militants have a list of prisoners who are forbidden to be exchanged. 31 977 79 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

OSCE Observers Held Hostage by Terrorists for a Month Monitors of the OSCE special monitoring mission in Ukraine have been held in captivity by terrorists in the Donbas for a month. 7 745 79 World

харитонов Captured occupier: Putin thought everything would go smoothly. But everything dragged on, personnel was demoralized. VIDEO A captured Russian sergeant complains about the lack of products and things and complains about the demoralization of the personnel 32 878 79 Previously in trend: War

денис,чепурко Fighter of "Azov" regiment Chepurko with call sign Mango about horrors of captivity: "Russians beat boys to death during interrogations". VIDEO "Azov" fighter, Denys Chepurko, with the call sign Mango, who was released from captivity, spoke about the battles in Mariupol, his stay in Olenivka, and his liberation. 40 372 78 Previously in trend: War

Russian government ordered terrorists to capture Ukrainian officers for further exchange, - SBU Russian generalship ordered the militants of the "Donetsk People's Republic" and “Luhansk People's Republic" to capture Ukrainian officers for further exchange. 40 392 77 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

People bringing ransoms for relatives to terrorists are taken captive themselves - ATO speaker The ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko advised relatives of prisoners to appeal to the Security Service of Ukraine with information about ransom demand by the militants instead of agreeing to the terrorists’ requirements. 24 804 76 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

полон,обмін Ukraine succeeded in returning some of defenders from captivity. The exchange took place in Chernihiv region. ВIДЕО On the evening of September 21, a prisoner exchange took place in Chernihiv region. Part of Azovstal’s defenders were released. 21 494 75 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

полон,здалися Ukraine began to receive lot of appeals from Russians who want to surrender, - Ministry of Defense Ukraine receives many appeals from the Russian military who want to surrender. 36 834 75 Previously in trend: War

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

тандит "Militants laid down unacceptable conditions," - SBU Head Adviser Tandit on failure of prisoners exchange The release of Ukrainian captives is currently discussed at the highest level. 37 942 74 Ukrainian Politics

російський полонений Black mercenary of Russian army begs for mercy from Ukrainian drone operator and later surrenders. VIDEO Soldiers of the 33rd separate mechanised brigade captured a black soldier of the Russian army in the Kurakhove direction of the frontline. 21 933 74 Previously in trend: War

прапор,білий,бєлгородщина Soldiers of pro-Putin unit in village of Spodaryushino in Belgorod region raised white flag to surrender. VIDEO A video was posted online showing fighters of a pro-Putin unit raising a white flag to surrender. 35 679 74 Previously in trend: War

Poroshenko: 17 Ukrainian Servicemen Freed From Terrorist Captivity 17 Ukrainian soldiers were freed from the captivity of the pro-Russian militants. 12 981 74 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

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

Russia extends arrest of Ukrainian sailors for another three months Russia extends arrest of Ukrainian sailors for another three months Moscow’s court has extended the arrest of Ukrainian sailors-prisoners of war for another three months until October 24, 2019. 4 223 73 Previously in trend: Azov Sea blockade

полон,маріуполь,звільнення Several Azovstal defenders, including Mariupol patrol police chief Vershynin and Ptashka (Ekaterina Polishchuk), were released from captivity.. PHOTO On evening of September 21, it became known that several Azovstal defenders had been released from Russian captivity. 46 833 73 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

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

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

полонений Border guards captured occupier who was screaming for help: "I was abandoned!". VIDEO During a battle with the enemy, the soldiers came across an invader who was shouting for help. Taking the chance, the Russian serviceman came out with his hands up and was captured, after which he was subsequently handed over to the competent authorities to replenish the exchange fund. 9 757 72 Previously in trend: War

вагнер,пвк Ukrainian soldiers captured 7 Russian occupiers from Wagner in Luhansk region, - Butusov Censor.NET Editor-in-Chief Yurii Butusov has released information that Ukrainian fighters have captured seven Russian mercenaries from the Bars assault detachment of the Wagner Private Military Company. 40 586 71 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

плен "Negotiations on prisoner exchange came to deadlock" - Advisor to the Defense Minister Advisor to the Defense Minister Vasyl Budik says that negotiations on prisoner exchange are deadlocked. 37 392 71 World

Ukrainian Armed Forces captured two Chinese citizens in Donetsk region Fighters of 81st SAB capture two Chinese nationals in Donetsk region: brigade told details of operation Soldiers of the 81st Separate Airmobile Slobozhanska Brigade of the Air Assault Forces recently captured two citizens of the People’s Republic of China who were fighting on the side of the Russian army in the Donetsk region. 13 141 92 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

тандит Terrorists keep 137 civilian hostages: Russian mercenaries detain people who cross contact line, - Tandit The number of Ukrainians held by Russian terrorists in the Donbas has increased to 137 recently. Terrorists illegally detain civilians who cross contact line and charge them with crimes they never committed. 9 349 71 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Three soldiers of the Interior Ministry special forces battalion tripped a booby trap in the Luhansk region, - ATO speaker Three soldiers of the special forces battalion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine triggered grenade trip wire in the Luhansk region on Wednesday, June 10. 21 920 71 Incidents

обмін Big Easter exchange of prisoners: Ukraine returned another 130 people (updated). PHOTOS Ukraine held the big Easter exchange of prisoners. 20 430 70 Previously in trend: War

семікова "We were lying in blood, another man was also in feces. I asked for water. They didn't give it": resident of Kozacha Lopan told about tortures he endured in captivity of occupiers. PHOTOS A 26-year-old resident of Kharkiv, Oleksiy Semikov, spoke about the torture he was subjected to by the Russian occupiers when he was taken prisoner. 51 633 70 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

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. 8 449 70 Incidents

безвісти More than 7,000 defenders of Ukraine are considered missing More than 7,000 defenders of Ukraine are considered missing. These are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, soldiers of the National Guard, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine, and so on. Most of these people are in captivity. 24 887 70 Previously in trend: War

плен понамарев captivity ponomariov Ukrainian scout Oleksandr Ponomariov released from terrorists’ captivity, - Advisor to Deputy Defense Minister. PHOTOS Ukrainian soldier, scout Oleksandr Ponomariov was released today as a result of the joint work of the Group on Humanitarian Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Defense Ministry’s Department of Cooperation. 46 108 70 Society

Another Six Servicemen Released from Captivity - Poroshenko Five soldiers from the 24th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a border guard were released today. 5 875 70 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

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

Negotiations on POW exchange to continue on Monday Exchange of prisoners was not completed as the release group saw a security threat for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by the militants. 4 699 69 Ukrainian Politics

полон,маріуполь,звільнення 215 soldiers, including 108 Azov servicemen, were released from Russian captivity The Executive Director of President’s Office Andriy Yermak publicized information about number of released Ukrainian soldiers. 10 459 68 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

600 Ukrainians Remain Prisoners in Donbas - Poroshenko There are more than 600 Ukrainians in captivity of terrorists in the Donbas. 4 654 68 Ukrainian Politics

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

There Are 53 Soldiers in Captivity of the Militants On Wednesday the Ukrainian military who were treated in the Rostov region are expected to return. 10 094 67 Ukrainian Politics

Freed Ukrainian soldiers described their captivity: "There were only questions and interrogations" Three Ukrainian soldiers captured last winter near the Donetsk airport were freed from captivity past night. Ukrainian soldiers described how they had been interrogated by terrorists. 32 872 66 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Two Donbas battalion fighters freed from terrorist captivity Adviser to the Minister of Defense Vasyl Budyk reported on release of two more soldiers from terrorist captivity. Their names are Artur Harmash and Valentyn Koval. 9 441 66 Ukrainian Politics

всу Ukrainian soldiers capture "DPR" militant, - 72nd Brigade Ukrainian fighters captured a pro-Russian terrorist during yesterday's Avdiivka fighting. 85 955 66 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

обмен The Security Service of Ukraine Exchanged 20 More Ukrainian POWs. VIDEO Censor.NET got ahold of video capturing exchange in captives between the Ukrainian party and the "DPR" and "LPR" terrorists on the evening of September 8. 38 462 66 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine