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The ongoing negotiations and exchanges of POWs between Ukraine and Russia are significant developments in the conflict. Recent swaps have seen numerous Ukrainian servicemen return home, including a major exchange involving 193 defenders. Coordination efforts continue to facilitate these exchanges, aiming to bring back more captives. However, the process is fraught with challenges, including accusations of human rights violations. Reports of unlawful detention and mistreatment of prisoners underscore the humanitarian crisis at hand. As efforts persist, it's crucial to address these issues, emphasizing a humanitarian approach for prisoners on both sides.

What are the main challenges in POW exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?

The primary challenges involve negotiating terms amidst ongoing conflict, ensuring humane treatment of POWs, and addressing accusations of violations of international humanitarian laws. Both nations face difficulties in reaching mutual agreements that prioritize the human rights of prisoners.

How many POW exchanges have there been between Ukraine and Russia recently?

In recent times, there have been multiple exchanges, including the significant releases of 193 and 300 Ukrainian defenders. These exchanges are part of continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the humanitarian issues arising from the conflict.

What has been the impact of these exchanges on the overall conflict resolution efforts?

The exchanges have fostered some dialogue and cooperation between Ukraine and Russia, providing a foundation for broader conflict resolution discussions. However, they highlight persistent human rights concerns that must be addressed to achieve long-term peace.

What are the human rights concerns associated with the POW exchanges?

Main concerns include reports of torture, execution of prisoners, and inadequate legal processes. International organizations emphasize the need for adherence to humanitarian laws and transparent processes during and after exchanges to protect the rights of captives.

How does international law view the treatment of POWs?

International law, particularly the Geneva Conventions, mandates humane treatment of POWs, prohibiting torture and inhumane conditions. These laws call for exchanges and negotiations to prioritize the safety and welfare of prisoners, supporting peace and resolution efforts in conflicts.

What role do international organizations play in POW exchanges?

Organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are crucial in monitoring conditions, facilitating dialogues, and ensuring humanitarian standards are met. Their involvement aims to promote transparency and protect prisoner rights during exchanges.

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News POWs

POW 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. 621 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Two more Azov members have been sentenced in Russia 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. 773 7 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

Russians tortured Azov resident Krokhmaliuk in captivity Russians tortured Mariupol defender, "Azov" Oleksandr Krokhmaliuk, in captivity Russian invaders tortured Ukrainian defender and Azov fighter Oleksandr Krokhmalyuk while he was in captivity. 7 234 13 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons

20 Azov fighters return from Russian captivity 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. 2 648 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity

Details of the prisoner exchange on May 15: What is known? 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... 3 150 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 15 May 2026 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. 8 382 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war – how many in 2026 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. 2 886 11 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners Execution of Ukrainian POWs

AFU 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. 11 361 24 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners War crimes of Russia

The execution of Ukrainian soldiers by the occupiers 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. 568 0 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

China has issued a statement regarding its citizens who have been taken captive 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. 7 547 53 Previously in trend: Chinese mercenaries in Russian army

Prisoner exchange 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. 3 664 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine brings back 193 defenders in prisoner exchange Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner exchange: 193 defenders released. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange. 5 645 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Budanov revealed when the prisoner exchange will take place 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. 1 714 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russia executed prisoners in Kharkiv region and is preparing a refutation 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. 4 996 10 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Russia shot dead 4 captured soldiers in the Kharkiv region 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. 13 467 41 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Prisoner exchange on 11 April 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. 4 802 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 6 March 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. 6 527 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW 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. 1 835 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 6 March 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. 5 094 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoners, Hungary 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. 4 911 27 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary

Coordination HQ expects 300-prisoner swap with Russia on 6 March 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. 1 115 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

First stage of Ukraine-Russia POW exchange completed 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. 2 418 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war: what is known? 200 Ukrainian soldiers freed from Russian captivity. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war, with 200 Ukrainian defenders being returned. 7 690 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Putin 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. 2 873 21 Previously in trend: Relations between Ukraine and Hungary

prison for prisoners 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. 563 3 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia

Attitude of occupying forces prisoners to the war: survey 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." 5 502 51 Previously in trend: Poll on war in Ukraine captured occupiers

Prisoner exchange: Budanov said when it could take place 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. 552 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy announces upcoming POW swap after Geneva talks 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. 1 033 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russians surrender to Khartiia in Kupiansk: details of the operation 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." 5 987 8 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Fighting in the Kupіansk direction

Nazar Daletskyi 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." 5 068 23 Previously in trend: payments to military payments to families of prisoners of war

Nazar Daletskyi, who had been presumed dead for three years, has been released from captivity. 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. 9 937 76 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity payments to families of prisoners of war

Lubinets: Ukraine has not paused prisoner exchanges 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... 1 077 1 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs

POW swap on 5 February 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. 4 064 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity

POW return: Ukrainian soldier presumed dead since 2022 comes home back 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. 10 069 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange took place on 5 February: what is known? 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. 6 753 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

exchange 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. 1 448 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Zelenskyy’s address

Zelenskyy says Russia postponed POW exchange agreements 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. 1 981 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

enemy 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. 3 939 1 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Special Operations Forces captured a Russian soldier in Kupiansk: details of the operation 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. 9 321 24 Previously in trend: Fighting in the Kupіansk direction

Execution of prisoners 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. 6 867 68 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Prisoner exchange In 2025, 10 exchanges were carried out, 2,080 military personnel and 230 civilians were returned from captivity, - Coordination Headquarters The current year, 2025, has been a record year in terms of the number of Ukrainian people who have been returned home from Russian captivity. 395 0 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy Children among civilians taken from Hrabovske. Russia also captured 13 Ukrainian servicemen, Zelenskyy says Among the 52 civilians whom Russian occupiers took out of the village of Hrabovske in Sumy region were children. Ukrainian servicemen were also taken into Russian captivity. 9 319 304 Previously in trend: Russia evacuated 50 civilians

Status of prisoners of war: Lubinets shared what they are saying in Russia In Russia, they say that participants in "special military operation" cannot be prisoners of war because there is no war, - Lubinets Representatives of the Russian Federation say that anyone fighting against Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation cannot be considered a prisoner of war because, allegedly, no war has been declared. 6 488 45 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs

The Russian Federation systematically tortures Ukrainian prisoners of war Torture, sexual violence, and beatings: Russians systematically commit crimes against Ukrainian prisoners - Human Rights Watch The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch has stated that Russian authorities and military personnel systematically use torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war. 2 844 12 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons

Lubinets on exchanging everyone for everyone Within framework of peace process, Ukraine insists on formula of "all for all" exchange, - Lubinets Within the framework of the peace process and humanitarian track, Ukraine insists on the return of all its citizens—prisoners of war, civilian hostages, and deported children. 504 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Returning children from occupation

shooting of prisoners Russian occupiers shot five Ukrainian prisoners of war. VIDEO Russian troops shot five Ukrainian prisoners of war. 21 978 84 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

American volunteer fighter captures Russian occupiers Volunteer fighter from United States and his comrades capture occupiers in Luhansk region: "On your knees, please". VIDEO Bruce, an American volunteer fighter from the 63rd Mechanised Brigade assault group, captured Russian occupiers together with his comrades during the clearing of the Serebryanskyi Forest in the Luhansk region. 14 292 64 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

military, afu Russians shoot three Ukrainian prisoners of war in Zaporizhzhia region: prosecutor’s office launches investigation The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the enemy's shooting of three Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Zaporizhzhia region. 5 124 23 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia Execution of Ukrainian POWs