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Reports from Ukraine reveal ongoing challenges related to prisoners of war (POWs). Ukrainian authorities have launched investigations into the alleged torture of POWs by Russian forces, emphasizing the severe violations of international law. Additionally, Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk are facing terrorism charges, complicating their legal situation. Meanwhile, significant prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia have been conducted, with many POWs returning home with significant physical and psychological wounds. Ukrainian intelligence recently intercepted orders suggesting systemic torture, highlighting the harsh realities faced by POWs. Continuous dialogue and negotiations remain crucial in addressing these humanitarian challenges and ensuring the humane treatment of all POWs involved.

What is the current situation regarding Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity?

The situation for Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity remains dire, with numerous reports of torture and inhumane treatment surfacing. Many Ukrainian soldiers face charges such as terrorism, further complicating their legal and personal situations. Efforts are ongoing to secure their release through diplomatic negotiations.

How is Ukraine addressing the treatment of its POWs in Russia?

The Ukrainian government is actively pursuing investigations and gathering evidence of torture and mistreatment of its POWs in Russia. Diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure their humane treatment, and international bodies have been approached for support in resolving these violations of international law.

What are the recent developments in prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

Recent developments in prisoner exchanges have resulted in the release of numerous POWs from both sides. The exchanges occur as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at addressing the humanitarian needs of those affected. Both military personnel and civilians have been involved, with many requiring medical attention upon their return.

How does the treatment of POWs affect international relations between Ukraine and Russia?

The treatment of POWs significantly impacts international relations, highlighting violations of human rights and affecting diplomatic negotiations. The harsh treatment of prisoners and failure to adhere to international conventions strain the already tense relations between Ukraine and Russia, drawing condemnation from global entities.

What role do international organizations play in the POW situation in Ukraine and Russia?

International organizations, including the OSCE and the United Nations, play a crucial role in monitoring the situation and advocating for the humane treatment of POWs. They facilitate dialogue, provide humanitarian support, and ensure adherence to international laws, attempting to mediate and find resolutions to ongoing humanitarian challenges.

What evidence has been found regarding the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces?

Evidence including intercepted communications, eyewitness testimonies, and investigative reports have documented inhumane practices such as torture, lack of medical care, and orders for execution. These findings underscore severe violations of international humanitarian law, prompting investigations and diplomatic pressure.

How are the legal proceedings for Ukrainian POWs held in Russia progressing?

Legal proceedings for Ukrainian POWs in Russia remain complex and slow, with many soldiers facing serious charges like terrorism. Diplomatic and legal efforts are actively pursued by Ukraine to contest these charges and secure fair trials, though challenges with the Russian judicial system persist.

What strategies are used for the exchange of POWs between Ukraine and Russia?

Strategies for exchanging POWs between Ukraine and Russia involve high-level negotiations facilitated by international and regional agreements. The exchanges often focus on the critically wounded and younger soldiers, with ongoing dialogue aimed at expanding the scale and scope of these humanitarian actions under difficult circumstances.

How have these POW events impacted Ukrainian society?

The POW events have had a profound impact on Ukrainian society, evoking sentiments of solidarity and national resilience. The return of POWs is celebrated, yet the harsh realities of torture and unjust charges bring to light the need for sustained advocacy and international support. Families remain hopeful and engaged in efforts to reunite with loved ones.

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News POWs

Soldier Hanus, who returned from captivity in April, died in a traffic accident Serhii Hanus, soldier who came back to Ukraine after three years in Russian captivity, died in car accident Serhii Hanus, a 24-year-old defender from Kharkiv region, who returned to Ukraine in April after three years in Russian captivity, died in a car accident. 9 748 11 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Artur Dobroserdov, Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances OSINT methods confirm 2,577 Ukrainian service members held in Russian captivity OSINT methods have confirmed that 2,577 Ukrainian service members are being held in Russian captivity. 1 007 1 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Torture of prisoners Russians tortured Ukrainian POWs during interrogations: pre-trial investigation launched, - Prosecutor’s General Office Prosecutors from the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office have documented cases of cruel treatment of POWs by representatives of the Russian Armed Forces during interrogations. 1 323 0 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

battles in Kursk Ukrainian prisoners of war who participated in battles in Kursk are being prosecuted in Russia under "terrorism" charges, - media In Russia, Ukrainian prisoners of war who participated in the Armed Forces of Ukraine's operation in the Kursk region are being convicted under "terrorism" charges. 2 458 31 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

Russian occupiers torture captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers: GUR interception DIU intercepts Russian order to torture POWs: "Rip his nail f#ck off". AUDIO Ukrainian intelligence has intercepted further evidence of systemic war crimes committed by Russian servicemen. 3 675 9 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons War crimes of Russia

Prisoner exchange on 14 August 2025 What is known Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners: 84 people, including military personnel and civilians, freed. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange. They managed to free 84 people, both military and civilians, from Russian captivity. 4 251 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy, Umerov and Yermak Zelenskyy discussed with Umerov and Yermak preparation of new meeting in Istanbul: There is agreement on exchange of 1,200 prisoners. PHOTO Today, 3 August 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the negotiation track with NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and Head of the Office Andriy Yermak, including the implementation of the agreements of the meetings with the Russian side in Istanbul and the preparation of a new meeting. 2 621 38

The Main Intelligence Directorate intercepted a conversation between Russian soldiers about the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russians execute Ukrainian Armed Forces POWs: "If they surrender—kill them," DIU intercept. AUDIO Russian occupiers continue issuing cynical orders to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war on the front line. 4 034 24 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners War crimes of Russia

Ukraine has a sufficient exchange fund Five camps for holding Russian prisoners of war are now operating, we have sufficient exchange fund - Coordination Center Ukraine has a sufficient exchange fund to continue exchanges of prisoners of war with Russia. 1 654 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Schemes identified a doctor who tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war in a colony in Mordovia "Doctor Evil": Doctor who tortured Ukrainian POWs in Mordovia colony identified – media. PHOTO Journalists have identified the doctor at the most secure Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia (Russia) who humiliated, tortured, and denied proper medical care to Ukrainian prisoners of war. The captives nicknamed him among themselves "Doctor Evil." 19 946 52 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons War crimes of Russia

Russian prisoners of war escape in Kramatorsk Four prisoners of war escaped from convoy in Kramatorsk, - Andriushchenko. PHOTO Russian prisoners of war escaped from a convoy in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. They have been put on the wanted list. 9 987 37 Previously in trend: Escape of russian pows

Valerii Zelenskyi, released from captivity, dies Less than month after exchange, soldier Valerii Zelenskyi died. He was held captive by Russian Federation for over 3 years. PHOTOS Less than a month after returning from Russian captivity, 57-year-old soldier Valerii Zelenskyi died. 13 791 65 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap losses of Ukraine

Prisoner exchange on 10 June Eight stages of large-scale prisoner exchange have taken place since beginning of June: hundreds of Ukrainian heroes are home - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Since the beginning of June 2025, eight stages of a large exchange of prisoners of war with Russia have taken place, as part of which hundreds of Ukrainians have returned home. 1 683 18 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 4 July 2025 Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners. Military personnel and civilians are returning, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO+PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war. 6 389 47 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Lubinets Lubinets: Russians have executed 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war so far As of the beginning of July, 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed by Russia. 775 9 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners War crimes of Russia

Russian forces executed a Ukrainian prisoner of war by tying him to a motorcycle Ruscists executed Ukrainian POW: AFU soldier tied to motorcycle. VIDEO Russian occupiers allegedly executed a Ukrainian prisoner of war by tying him to a motorcycle and dragging him along the road. 14 531 54 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners

Ukraine conducted a new prisoner exchange with Russia on June 26 Military personnel under 25, including Mariupol defenders, returned to Ukraine in today’s prisoner exchange – Coordination HQ On Thursday, June 26, the next stage of the large-scale prisoner exchange under the Istanbul agreements took place. A group of defenders under the age of 25, as well as wounded defenders and those with health issues, were returned to their homeland. 4 161 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Mariupol defense

Ukraine held a new prisoner exchange with Russia on 26 June Ukraine and Russia carry out new POW swap: most defenders held captive since 2022. PHOTOS On June 26, a new group of Ukrainian prisoners of war was returned from Russian captivity. 6 681 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russia convicts nearly 200 Ukrainian soldiers for terrorist acts in Kursk region Russia convicts 184 Ukrainian POWs for "terrorist acts" in Kursk region over six months In the past six months, Russian courts have illegally sentenced 184 Ukrainian servicemen captured during the Kursk operation under the charge of "terrorism." 1 482 15 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

PACE resolution PACE called on Russian Federation to continue prisoner exchanges in "all for all" format. PHOTO The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe calls on the international community to support negotiations between Ukraine and Russia on the speedy exchange and release of all prisoners of war. 607 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

return from captivity SSU releases exclusive video of POW swap on June 20. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released exclusive footage of a prisoner swap that took place today, June 20. 2 475 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on 20 June All defenders released as part of today’s exchange have injuries or severe medical diagnoses, - Coordination Headquarters. VIDEO+PHOTOS Today, on 20 June, another stage of a prisoner exchange in the category of "severely wounded and seriously ill" took place. In accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul, another group of defenders with serious injuries and significant health problems were returned from Russian captivity. 3 044 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia have carried out a prisoner exchange on 20 June 2025 Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange. AFU soldiers, National Guard and SBGS were freed. PHOTOS For the second day in a row, Ukraine and Russia have carried out an exchange of prisoners of war. 4 825 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on 19 June Severely ill defenders returned from Russian captivity in latest exchange – Coordination Headquarters. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, 19 June, another stage of the major prisoner exchange in the "seriously ill and wounded" category took place in accordance with the agreements reached in Istanbul. 3 474 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 19 June 2025 Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange: most of defenders had been in captivity since 2022. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 8 741 21 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

The OSCE condemned Russia for the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war OSCE PA leaders condemn Russia for treating Ukrainian prisoners of war: 95% of released persons point to torture The leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, including President Pia Kauma, "strongly condemned" the systematic violations of international law, laws, and customs of war by the Russian Federation. 392 2 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs

Some Russian prisoners do not want to be exchanged. What is the reason? Some Russian prisoners of war do not want to be exchanged, - Deputy Minister of Justice Pikalov Some prisoners of war of the Russian army do not want to go for an exchange, as they understand that after that the Russians will send them back to the front line. 3 703 16 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap captured occupiers

The inscription on the prisoner’s body was burned by a Russian doctor Doctor on inscription "Glory to Russia" burned on body of captured soldier: It was done by surgeon The inscriptions "Glory to Russia" and "Z" on the body of a Ukrainian soldier released from captivity were most likely made by a Russian surgeon during surgery. 10 861 21 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

Oleksandr Strafun has returned from Russian captivity After three years in captivity: Mariupol defender Oleksandr Strafun returns to his homeland. PHOTO OF THE DAY A volunteer fighter and defender of Mariupol, Oleksandr Strafun, was released as part of the prisoner exchange. 9 496 20 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

occupier on exchange Ukraine is first to carry out indefinite sanitary exchange of prisoners directly from front line As part of the exchange on June 14, wounded prisoners of war were handed over to the Russian side directly from the front line. 3 558 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange Defenders liberated from captivity have injuries and health problems, most of them are Mariupol defenders, most of them are officers - Coordination Center Today, the next stage of a large exchange of prisoners in the category of "wounded and seriously ill" took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. 3 113 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange Fourth prisoner exchange in week takes place - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, 14 June 2025, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. 6 202 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap SSU releases exclusive footage of June 12 POW swap. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has released exclusive footage of the prisoner exchange that took place today, June 12. 4 469 28 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Dmytro Shapovalov, freed from Russian captivity in 2023, has died "He dreamt of apple for year": soldier Dmytro Shapovalov, freed from captivity two years ago, dies Serviceman Dmytro Shapovalov, who was freed from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange on April 26, 2023, has died in Vinnytsia region. 17 957 25 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

Soldiers are returning home. Prisoner exchange completed Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill soldiers. VIDEO&PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine and Russia have conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 5 186 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on June 10 All Ukrainian defenders liberated today have serious injuries and serious illnesses - Coordination Center Today, on June 10, the first stage of the exchange of prisoners in the category of "seriously wounded and seriously ill" took place in Istanbul under the agreements with Russia. 4 124 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 10 June Ukraine brings back seriously wounded and injured defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On 10 June, the second group of prisoners of war returned to Ukraine. Severely wounded and seriously ill Ukrainian defenders returned home from Russian captivity. 8 185 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ruscists branded an inscription on the body of a captured Ukrainian defender Photo with inscription "Glory to Russia" on body of soldier freed from captivity is genuine - DIU The photo of a Ukrainian soldier freed from Russian captivity, on whose body ruscists branded the inscription "Glory to Russia", is genuine. 10 196 45 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons War crimes of Russia

Russian soldiers burned an inscription on the body of a captured Ukrainian defender Russians branded words "Glory to Russia" into body of captured Ukrainian soldier. PHOTO OF THE DAY After the exchange, the Ukrainian defender showed the horrific consequences of being in Russian captivity. 18 812 68 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

Ukraine and Russia exchange prisoners on 9 June 2025 Ukraine and Russia have begun POWs’ exchange. It will continue in coming days, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine has started the exchange of POWs with Russia. It will continue in several stages in the coming days. 7 343 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

exchange of prisoners on May 6 Ukraine is facing information pressure and attempts to single-handedly dictate parameters of exchange process, - Budanov The start of repatriation activities following the talks in Istanbul is scheduled for next week, as the authorized persons were informed on June 3. 3 429 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

80% of bodies repatriated from Russian prisons show signs of torture Russia has network of secret special prisons for Ukrainian prisoners of war - human rights activist Polozov Russian authorities have created a system of secret prisons for Ukrainian prisoners of war. 3 479 16 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons Secret prisons for Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Russian Federation

Ministry of Defense Russia wants to "overplay" agreements reached in Istanbul - Defense Ministry on situation with exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine calls on the Russian side not to create artificial obstacles and false statements in order not to return Ukrainian prisoners and not to take their prisoners to Russia. 4 365 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 24 May Russian side has provided lists that do not correspond to agreed approach, Coordination Headquarters responded to Russia’s accusations of Ukraine’s alleged disruption of exchange Today's statements by the Russian side do not correspond to reality and previous agreements on either the exchange of prisoners or the repatriation of bodies. 12 282 28 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Vladimir Medinskiy Medinskiy accuses Ukraine of allegedly delaying exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen The Russian side has accused Ukraine of allegedly delaying the exchange of prisoners and bodies of fallen soldiers. 2 747 9

POW swap on 24 May Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange all severely wounded POWs and individuals under 25 – Umerov During the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed on new prisoner exchanges under the "all for all" format, focusing on specific categories: the severely wounded and seriously ill, as well as youth aged 18 to 25. 4 283 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

303 defenders returned home Exchange of prisoners in "all-for-all" format may take place after ceasefire - Zelenskyy The exchange of prisoners of war in the "all-for-all" format can take place after the ceasefire. However, Russia does not always honestly fulfill the conditions during the exchanges. 832 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

The captured North Korean "1000 for 1000" exchange: DPRK prisoners of war were not on lists North Korean soldiers held captive in Ukraine did not take part in the recent large-scale exchange of prisoners of war in the "1000 for 1000" format between Kyiv and Moscow. 884 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap prisoners of war of the DPRK