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Since the full-scale invasion began, the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) has been a significant issue. Notably, criminal investigations have been launched into multiple Russian violations, including the execution of Ukrainian POWs. The exchange process has seen substantial progress, with Ukraine recovering 160 defenders at one point. Yet, not all have been straightforward; Budanov has highlighted negotiations delays by Russia. Ukrainian officials, like Dmytro Lubinets, continue to demand the return of wounded POWs, showcasing the ongoing struggle for humane treatment. This situation underscores the complicated interplay of diplomacy, human rights, and warfare laws.
How many Ukrainian POWs have been executed by Russian forces?
There have been documented cases of over 300 Ukrainian POWs executed by Russian forces. These acts have been recorded by Ukrainian and international bodies, highlighting the severe violations of international law committed during the ongoing conflict. Each case is subject to thorough investigation by organizations like the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner in Ukraine.
What are the outcomes of recent POW exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?
Recent exchanges have resulted in the release of hundreds of Ukrainian defenders. For example, a notable swap involved 160 Ukrainian POWs returning home. These exchanges are critical for the morale of Ukrainian forces, but they also highlight the complexity and ongoing negotiations required to ensure the safety and return of those captured during the conflict.
What challenges are faced in conducting POW exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?
Challenges include negotiation delays and violations of previously agreed terms by the Russian side. Ukraine has continually sought to secure the humane treatment and release of its soldiers, often amidst disrupted agreements. The intricacies of international diplomacy and differing governmental stances add layers of complexity to these efforts.
How has international law been violated concerning Ukrainian POWs?
Violations include executions, torture, and ill-treatment of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces. The United Nations has documented these violations, providing detailed reports on the systemic abuse of captured soldiers, thus highlighting the widespread disregard for the Geneva Conventions governing wartime conduct.
What role has the United Nations played regarding Ukrainian POWs?
The United Nations has played a crucial role by documenting violations against Ukrainian POWs and issuing reports to bring international awareness to the human rights abuses occurring. Their involvement underscores the importance of global oversight and accountability in conflicts to ensure adherence to international humanitarian laws.
What diplomatic efforts are being made by Ukraine for its POWs?
Ukraine engages in numerous diplomatic initiatives to ensure the return and protection of its POWs. Officials, like the Human Rights Commissioner, actively seek dialogue with international counterparts and organizations to advocate for the rights and safe return of Ukrainian soldiers, emphasizing the need for adherence to international norms.
News POWs
We are fighting for every single person and preparing for next prisoner exchanges, - Budanov Ukraine is continuing its search for those missing in action and is working to organise further prisoner exchanges to bring Ukrainian prisoners of war home. 1 512 30 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Budanov announces major prisoner exchange in coming days Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov said that a major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation is expected to take place soon. 1 119 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ten Ukrainian soldiers who were considered missing in action have been returned to Ukraine. PHOTOS As part of the prisoner exchange, 10 prisoners of war have been returned to Ukraine. 7 574 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine brings home soldier held in Russian captivity since 2017 in prisoner exchange: "Like dream, I can’t believe I’m home". VIDEO During today’s prisoner exchange, Ukraine brought home a soldier who had spent almost nine years in Russian captivity, having been held since 2017. 4 043 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
"There isn’t single Azov fighter in today’s prisoner exchange," Prokopenko said, calling for change in approach to securing release of prisoners The commander of the 1st Corps of the Ukrainian National Guard, ‘Azov’, Brigadier General Denys (Redis) Prokopenko, stated that there were no ‘Azov’ fighters amongst the Ukrainians released from Russian captivity on Wednesday, 19 August. 2 577 25 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Prisoner exchange: Coordination Headquarters publishes official statistics The Coordination Headquarters has compiled official statistics following the prisoner exchange with the Russian Federation conducted today, 19 August 2026. 1 646 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Among those freed from Russian captivity are soldiers, sergeants and several officers, most are wounded or seriously ill – Coordination Headquarters. PHOTOS Today, following negotiations, the first stage of another prisoner exchange was conducted. A total of 103 service members were freed from Russian captivity. Most of them are wounded or seriously ill. 2 168 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Prisoner exchange takes place: Ukraine brings 103 soldiers home. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, 19 August 2026, another prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 4 546 17 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
At least 375 Ukrainians died in Russian captivity. They were subjected to torture – Lubinets The deaths of at least 375 Ukrainian citizens in Russian captivity have now been officially confirmed. Their bodies were returned home as part of "on the shield" exchanges. They were Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages. 1 094 8 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs Torture of POWs in Russian prisons
Occupiers shot dead Ukrainian POW near Myrne in Donetsk region: probe launched – prosecutor’s office An investigation has been launched into the shooting of a prisoner of war by the occupiers in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region. 4 949 14 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners Execution of Ukrainian POWs
Russians executed captured Ukrainian soldier in Donetsk region: investigation has been opened Russian occupiers shot and killed a captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier near the village of Yalta after interrogating him. A criminal investigation has been opened. 3 373 5 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners
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. 470 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. 530 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. 2 165 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. 5 090 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. 776 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. 1 145 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. 6 367 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. 4 984 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. 716 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. 1 061 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. 7 522 14 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. 2 778 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... 3 248 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. 8 507 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. 2 994 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. 11 499 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. 649 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. 7 613 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. 3 709 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. 5 707 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. 1 805 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. 5 088 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. 13 651 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. 4 847 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. 6 601 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. 1 891 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. 5 172 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. 4 969 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. 1 173 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. 2 492 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. 7 749 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. 2 928 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. 629 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." 5 552 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. 587 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. 1 076 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." 6 060 8 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Fighting in the Kupіansk direction
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