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Ukraine continues its relentless efforts to bring its prisoners of war (POWs) back home. In recent updates, several prisoner exchanges have been successfully executed, with many Ukrainian soldiers being repatriated. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office, announced an upcoming major exchange. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters regularly publishes statistics and outcomes of these exchanges, highlighting the return of numerous wounded and ill service members. Reports have also emerged about severe mistreatment and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian forces, raising international concern. The commitment to securing the release of Ukrainian POWs remains steadfast, with ongoing negotiations anticipated to yield further successful exchanges.
What is the current status of Ukrainian POW exchanges?
Ukrainian and Russian authorities have been actively engaged in prisoner of war exchanges, with several successful operations recently reported. Key initiatives by Ukraine have resulted in the return of a significant number of its servicemen from Russian captivity, despite reports of severe mistreatment. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of remaining POWs.
How have POWs been treated during captivity?
Reports indicate that Ukrainian POWs have faced harsh conditions during their captivity in Russia, including instances of torture and execution. International bodies, including the UN, have documented cases of ill-treatment, urging for human rights to be upheld in accordance with international law.
Who oversees the prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?
The Coordination Headquarters in Ukraine plays a key role in managing prisoner exchanges with Russia. This body compiles statistics, coordinates negotiations, and ensures that returned service members receive the appropriate care and attention upon their release from captivity.
Are there upcoming prisoner exchanges planned?
Yes, ongoing talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials suggest that additional prisoner exchanges are planned for the near future. These negotiations continue to aim for the release of as many Ukrainian defenders as possible, with strategic coordination efforts made by high-profile officials like Kyrylo Budanov.
What challenges are faced in conducting POW exchanges?
Organizing and executing prisoner exchanges involves complex negotiations often hindered by political tensions. The process can be delayed due to non-compliance or disruptions by either side, making it a challenging diplomatic endeavor to ensure the safe return of POWs.
News POWs
Russia has recruited over 28,000 foreigners; Kenya and Botswana are asking for return of prisoners, - Bloomberg Several African countries have asked Ukraine to return their citizens who fought on Russia’s side and were taken prisoner by Ukraine. 1 767 22 Previously in trend: Russia is recruiting foreigners for the war in Ukraine
South Korea has received apology from Ukraine but considers it insufficient, - country’s Foreign Ministry South Korea received an apology from Ukraine for disclosing information about the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. 11 800 136 Previously in trend: prisoners of war of the DPRK Dispute between Ukraine and South Korea
Ukraine was the first to ask South Korea not to disclose information about prisoners from North Korea, according to Seoul’s intelligence services Seoul’s intelligence service reported that Ukraine was the first to request that the transfer of two North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea be kept confidential. Both countries agreed to maintain confidentiality from the very start of the transfer process. 6 702 95 Previously in trend: prisoners of war of the DPRK Dispute between Ukraine and South Korea
Major prisoner exchange could take place "in coming weeks," - Budanov The head of the Office of the President, Kyrylo Budanov, stated that a large-scale exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia could take place in the very near future. 1 488 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
South Korea has accused Zelenskyy of revealing secret operation to hand over DPRK prisoners of war South Korean President Lee Jae-myung expressed regret that Ukraine had publicly announced the handover of two North Korean prisoners of war to Seoul. He described this as a breach of the non-disclosure agreement. Volodymyr Zelenskyy had announced this the previous day at the UN General Assembly. 30 877 184 Previously in trend: prisoners of war of the DPRK
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. 1 920 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. 1 250 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. 7 624 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. 4 271 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. 2 646 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. 1 711 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. 2 219 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. 4 604 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. 1 233 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. 5 235 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. 3 424 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. 503 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. 592 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. 2 217 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. 5 126 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. 812 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. 1 196 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. 6 416 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. 5 014 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. 748 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. 1 248 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. 7 559 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. 2 819 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... 3 293 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. 8 552 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. 3 211 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. 11 585 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. 676 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. 7 820 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. 3 755 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. 5 749 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. 1 831 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. 5 128 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. 13 799 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. 4 887 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. 6 647 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. 1 920 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. 5 204 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. 4 998 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. 1 190 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. 2 510 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. 7 773 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. 2 973 21 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary
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