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The ongoing war in Ukraine has been marked by numerous prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, emphasizing the complex nature of the conflict and the plight of prisoners of war (POWs). The return of 20 Azov fighters from Russian captivity highlights the significant efforts made by both nations to negotiate POW exchanges. However, reports of torture, as in the case of Mariupol defender Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk, shed light on the human rights violations occurring within these detentions. Documented cases reveal that over 300 Ukrainian POWs have been executed, showcasing a grim reality amidst negotiations. International attention is focused on these exchanges and violations, urging humane treatment of all POWs.
What is the current status of POW exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?
Ukraine and Russia have conducted several prisoner exchanges, with the latest involving the release of 20 Azov fighters. These exchanges are part of ongoing negotiations aimed at freeing captives from both sides. Despite these efforts, reports of torture and execution of Ukrainian POWs indicate a challenging humanitarian situation.
How many Ukrainian POWs have been released through exchanges recently?
Recently, a substantial number of Ukrainian POWs have been released, including the return of over 200 personnel during various stages of negotiations with Russia. The ongoing exchanges seek to bring back soldiers, while highlighting the issue of their treatment in captivity.
What are the documented violations against Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity?
Documented violations against Ukrainian POWs include cases of torture, executions, and other severe breaches of human rights. Reports indicate over 300 POWs were unlawfully executed, underscoring the harsh conditions they endure and the critical need for international intervention.
What efforts are being made to ensure humane treatment of all POWs in the conflict?
Efforts to ensure humane treatment of POWs include international advocacy for the adherence to human rights laws, pressure on involved parties to abide by the Geneva Conventions, and calls for inspections by entities like the Red Cross to monitor conditions and facilitate fair treatment.
Have any high-profile incidents highlighted the plight of Ukrainian POWs?
Yes, high-profile incidents, such as the torture of Azov fighter Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk and the execution of numerous Ukrainian POWs, have significantly highlighted the dire situations faced. These incidents spur global attention and demand for greater humanitarian oversight.
What are the international responses to the treatment of POWs in this conflict?
International responses include condemning human rights abuses, pressuring Russia and Ukraine to adhere to international law concerning POW treatment, and supporting humanitarian agencies' efforts to access and assist those held in captivity. The global community is advocating for transparent and humane resolutions.
News POWs
Lubinets has demanded that Russian Federation return 46 prisoners of war who were wounded following terrorist attack in Olenivka The Verkhovna Rada’s Human Rights Commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, during a meeting with the Russian Ombudswoman, Yana Lantratova, called for the urgent return of 46 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were wounded during the terrorist attack in Olenivka in July 2022. 431 4 Previously in trend: Terrorist attack in Olenivka
UN has documented 129 executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war since start of full-scale invasion A report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights documents the executions of at least 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war over a three-month period and 129 since the start of the war, as well as numerous cases of torture and ill-treatment. 495 0 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners
76th prisoner exchange: among those released are 115 defenders of Mariupol, Coordination Headquarters says. PHOTOS As part of today’s 76th combined prisoner exchange, 115 defenders of Mariupol returned from Russian captivity. 2 129 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange: 160 defenders have returned home. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of prisoners of war. 160 Ukrainian defenders have been released. 5 072 27 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Budanov announced exchange of prisoners of war "in next few days" Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President, announced that a prisoner-of-war exchange between Ukraine and Russia will take place in the near future. 760 2 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine has already returned more soldiers from Russian captivity than are still in captivity, - Lubinets The number of Ukrainian defenders who have already been released from Russian captivity currently exceeds the number of servicemen who remain in captivity. 1 120 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
As part of exchange, father and son who had defended Ukraine and were taken prisoner in 2022 were freed, - Lubinets. VIDEO A father and son, who had been held captive since 2022, have been released from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange. 6 321 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange: 185 Ukrainian defenders have been returned to their homeland. PHOTOS 185 Ukrainian defenders have been freed from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange. 4 964 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russia disrupts agreements, but you will see new prisoner exchange in near future, Budanov says The Russian side is delaying and sabotaging the implementation of agreements on a large-scale prisoner of war exchange in the "1,000 for 1,000" format. However, despite the Kremlin’s position, another stage in the return of Ukrainian defenders home is expected soon. 701 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Two captured Azov fighters have been "sentenced" in Russia to 19 and 20 years in prison The Southern District Military "Court" of the Russian Federation in Rostov-on-Don handed down a "sentence" against two captured fighters from "Azov" — 30-year-old Dmytro Kyshchenko and 32-year-old Vsevolod Shyrokykh, sentencing them to 19 and 20 years in prison, respectively. 955 7 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation
Russians tortured Mariupol defender, "Azov" Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk, in captivity Russian invaders tortured Ukrainian defender and Azov fighter Oleksandr Krokhmalyuk while he was in captivity. 7 437 13 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons
20 Azov fighters return from Russian captivity as part of exchange During today’s first stage of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, 20 servicemen of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine "Azov" returned home from Russian captivity. 2 752 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity
Almost all of soldiers released today from Russian captivity had spent four years in captivity, - Coordination Headquarters As part of the first phase of the prisoner exchange—a 1,000-for-1,000 swap—Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel returned home, including members of the Navy, Army, Airborne Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, and Air Force, as well as soldiers from the National Guard of Ukraine and the State Border... 3 226 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out first stage of 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange: 205 defenders have been freed. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange. 8 484 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russian forces have executed over 300 Ukrainian prisoners of war, - Lubinets The Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in Ukraine has documented 337 cases of deliberate executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian invaders. 2 943 11 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners Execution of Ukrainian POWs
Ruscist ordered heads of two Ukrainian soldiers to be severed in Huliaipole direction – General Staff A commander of a unit of the Russian Armed Forces gave a direct order to behead the bodies of fallen Ukrainian soldiers of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment in the Huliaipole direction. 11 434 24 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners War crimes of Russia
Facts of enemy’s killing of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war since start of full-scale invasion have been documented, - Office of Prosecutor General Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war, 116 criminal investigations have documented instances of the occupiers’ intentional killing of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war. 607 0 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
China calls on Ukraine to treat prisoners of war who fought on side of Russian Federation humanely, — Chinese Foreign Ministry China has commented on the detention of Chinese citizens in Ukraine. 7 582 53 Previously in trend: Chinese mercenaries in Russian army
Most prisoners returned today were illegally held in Chechnya – Coordination Headquarters. PHOTOS Today, the 73rd prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. It became a continuation of the Easter exchange and the implementation of the relevant agreements. 3 690 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner exchange: 193 defenders released. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange. 5 689 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Prisoner exchange will take place in the near future, - Budanov Another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia is due to take place in the near future. 1 765 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russia is preparing refutation and wants to accuse Ukraine of staging execution of prisoners in Kharkiv region, - 14th Corps Following the announcement of the Easter ceasefire on April 11, Russian troops executed four Ukrainian prisoners of war near Veterynarne in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, Russian authorities are attempting to deny this information. 5 033 10 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
Occupiers shot four Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kharkiv region, - DeepState The enemy has once again violated the customs and rules of warfare – four Ukrainian prisoners of war have been shot near Veterynarne in the Kharkiv region. 13 547 41 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
Coordination Headquarters on exchange: most of those freed are defenders of Mariupol. Twenty-five officers whom the Russian Federation had refused to hand over have been returned. PHOTOS Today, on the eve of the joyous Easter holiday, the 72nd prisoner exchange took place. As a result of the negotiation process, 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians have been returned from Russian captivity. 4 817 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Prisoner exchange takes place: 175 military personnel and seven civilians freed, — Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, 11 April 2026, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 175 servicemen were released from enemy captivity. 6 563 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Large prisoner exchange possible on Easter – Budanov Head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, expressed hope that a new prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine will take place on Easter, 12 April. 1 867 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners: 300 defenders and 2 civilians were freed. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have completed the second stage of prisoner exchange. Three hundred Ukrainian defenders and two civilians have returned to their homeland. 5 145 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine demands that Hungary grant freedom of choice "without coercion or pressure" to two prisoners it handed over to Russia On 5 March, Ukraine summoned the acting chargé d'affaires of the Hungarian Embassy in Ukraine over Russia's transfer of two Ukrainian prisoners with Hungarian citizenship to Budapest without any prior notification or coordination with Kyiv. 4 941 27 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary
On 6 March, swap of 300 POWs with Russia is expected – Coordination Headquarters Tomorrow, 6 March, a swap involving 300 military prisoners of war with Russia is expected. 1 146 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Today’s prisoner exchange is first stage agreed in Geneva – Budanov On March 5, the first stage of a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. 2 464 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
200 Ukrainian soldiers freed from Russian captivity. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war, with 200 Ukrainian defenders being returned. 7 726 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russia will hand over to Szijjártó two Hungarian citizens who fought on side of Armed Forces of Ukraine Dictator Vladimir Putin has ordered the release of two Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers with Hungarian citizenship who were captured by the Russian army. They will be taken away by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who is currently visiting Moscow. 2 901 21 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary
Two Russian judges who unjustifiably sentence Ukrainian prisoners to prison terms have been notified of suspicion, — Security Service of Ukraine The Security Service of Ukraine has gathered evidence against two more Russian judges of the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation—Gurgen Dovlatbekyan and Artem Shalaev. 578 3 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia
68% of captured occupiers consider war against Ukraine justified, - poll. INFOGRAPHICS 68.29% of Russian prisoners of war consider the war against Ukraine to be "legitimate, necessary, and justified to a certain extent." 5 529 51 Previously in trend: Poll on war in Ukraine captured occupiers
Prisoner exchange may take place this week, - Budanov The head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, suggested that an exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia could take place this week. 573 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Zelenskyy announced new POW swap in near future Following the Ukrainian-Russian negotiations in Geneva, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects that a new POW exchange may take place between the countries in the near future. 1 059 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russians were captured by phone: unique Khartiia operation in Kupiansk. VIDEO A group of Russian soldiers decided to voluntarily surrender to the Khartiia soldiers. To do this, the occupiers used the chatbot "I want to live." 6 018 8 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Fighting in the Kupіansk direction
Family of soldier Daletskyi does not have to return 15 million hryvnias to state for his "death," - Ministry of Defence The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has no legal grounds or intention to compel the family of soldier Nazar Daletskyi, who was considered dead and then returned from Russian captivity, to return to the state payments in the amount of 15 million hryvnias for his "death." 5 108 23 Previously in trend: payments to military payments to families of prisoners of war
Family of "deceased" soldier Nazar Daletskyi, who returned from captivity, must return aid paid to them The relatives of Nazar Daletskyi, who was presumed dead but returned alive from Russian captivity, will be forced to return to the state the financial assistance allocated in the event of the death of a defender. 9 979 76 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity payments to families of prisoners of war
There has been progress regarding Red Cross’s access to prisoners, - Lubinets Negotiations on the exchange of prisoners of war continue without interruption. In February, the leadership of the International Committee of the Red Cross is expected to visit Kyiv, during which it is planned to discuss new approaches to ensuring ICRC access to Ukrainian prisoners of war and... 1 119 1 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs
Four Azov fighters return from Russian captivity after nearly four years in captivity On February 5, Ukraine managed to bring back four servicemen of the 12th Azov special forces brigade and five servicemen of the 15th Kara-Dah brigade after four years in Russian captivity. 4 137 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity
Defender Nazar Daletskyi returns from captivity after being presumed dead for over three years. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS During today’s prisoner exchange, defender Nazar Daletskyi returned to Ukraine. He had been presumed dead since September 2022. 10 095 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
157 defenders and civilians returned from Russian captivity as part of exchange. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS As part of the prisoner exchange, Ukraine returned 157 soldiers and civilians. Most of them had been in captivity since 2022. 6 794 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
POW exchange between Ukraine and Russia expected soon – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a prisoner-of-war exchange in the near future amid talks in Abu Dhabi. 1 482 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Zelenskyy’s address
Zelenskyy: Russia derailed POW swap agreed in late 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia has postponed the agreements reached in late 2025 on a prisoner-of-war exchange. 2 017 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
DIU intercepted order from ruscist to kill Ukrainian POWs: "We are not taking anyone prisoner. Everyone must be f#ck#d up and killed". AUDIO Russian commanders give criminal orders to shoot Ukrainian prisoners of war. 4 391 1 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia Execution of Ukrainian POWs
Hid in Kupiansk and adjusted fire on Armed Forces of Ukraine: Special Operations Forces captured Russian occupier. VIDEO During special operations in Kupiansk, Special Operations Forces (SOF) soldiers detected a Russian occupier hiding in the city. 9 348 24 Previously in trend: Fighting in the Kupіansk direction
Occupiers shot two captured Ukrainian soldiers in the village of Shakhove in Donetsk region: investigation launched. PHOTO An investigation has been launched into the shooting of captured Ukrainian defenders by representatives of the Russian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk district. 6 907 68 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
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