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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

captivity Zelenskyy: Since beginning of year, AFU have captured more than 2,000 Russians in Pokrovsk and Dobropillia directions Russian troops are suffering significant losses in the Pokrovsk and Dobropillia areas, and Ukrainian defenders have captured more than 2,000 occupiers since the beginning of the year. 1 267 5 Previously in trend: Situation in the Pokrovsk direction captured occupiers Situation in Dobropillia direction

Rostov convicts 15 Ukrainian soldiers from Aidar Russian "verdicts" against captured Aidar members are null and void and unlawful, it’s rigged trial - MFA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its strong protest in connection with the illegal and politically motivated verdict handed down by the Southern District Military Court of the Russian Federation on October 17 regarding 15 prisoners of war, soldiers of the 24th separate... 1 671 4 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

15 Ukrainian POWs from Aidar battalion "sentenced" in Rostov Russia "sentences" 15 captured Aidar fighters: they received sentences of 15–21 years in high-security colony The Southern District "military court" in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, has "sentenced" 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Aidar battalion. The Ukrainians received prison terms ranging from 15 to 21 years in a high-security penal colony. 1 275 3 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

The State Border Guard Service captured a citizen of Kazakhstan In Vovchansk direction, border guards from "Forpost" captured citizen of Kazakhstan. PHOTO Ukrainian border guards of the Forpost brigade in the Vovchansk direction captured a Russian soldier who turned out to be a citizen of Kazakhstan. 3 320 7 Previously in trend: Captured Russian mercenaries

combat, payments, monetary support Soldiers released from Russian captivity will receive 50,000 hryvnia during rehabilitation The Verkhovna Rada has passed a bill providing for a monthly payment of 50,000 hryvnias to military personnel who have returned from Russian captivity during their rehabilitation. 1 434 5 Previously in trend: payments to military

captured Aidar fighter Mozharov Captured Aidar Battalion fighter Oleksii Mozharov sentenced in Russia to 17.5 years in prison The Southern District Military Court in Rostov-on-Don has sentenced Oleksii Mozharov, a prisoner of war from the Aidar battalion, to 17 years and 6 months in a high-security penal colony. He will spend the first three years in prison. 1 546 1 Previously in trend: Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

Prosecutor General’s Office investigates executions of 322 Ukrainian prisoners of war Ukraine investigates executions of 322 prisoners of war by Russian occupiers - Prosecutor General’s Office Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are investigating the execution of 322 Ukrainian prisoners of war, 263 of whom were killed on the battlefield and another 59 in the Olenivka colony. 1 111 3 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners Terrorist attack in Olenivka

Border guards captured a Russian sent to war without training Border guards captured Russian in Vovchansk direction, - SBGS. VIDEO Ukrainian border guards of the "Forpost" brigade stopped the advance of a group of Russian soldiers on the outskirts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 2 485 3 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Prisoner exchange on 1 October Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner swap: 185 defenders freed. VIDEO+PHOTOS On October 2, Ukraine brought back another group of prisoners of war from Russian captivity. 6 529 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

court In Russia, captive Azov fighter Dmytro Remeza "sentenced" to 18 years in penal colony In Rostov-on-Don, Russia’s Southern District Military Court "sentenced" Dmytro Remeza, a 33-year-old Ukrainian serviceman from Zaporizhzhia, to 18 years in a strict-regime penal colony. 1 516 9 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia

Persons who had taken possession of the money of released prisoners of war exposed Fraudsters who had defrauded soldiers released from captivity and stolen about million hryvnias exposed. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Police officers exposed a criminal organisation that fraudulently seized the funds of servicemen released from Russian captivity. 6 996 30

Border guards detained an occupier in the Lyman direction Border guards detained occupier in civilian clothes in Lyman direction, - SBGS. VIDEO The crew of a heavy "Vampire" drone of the "Phoenix" unmanned aerial systems unit detected a suspicious man in civilian clothes at night in the Lyman direction and escorted him to the positions where he was detained. 3 759 1 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Border guards captured a 61-year-old Russian man in the Pokrovsk area Ukrainian border guards capture 61-year-old Russian serviceman in Pokrovsk – SBGS. VIDEO Fighters from the Rapid Response Border Commandant’s Office of the 105th Border Detachment captured a 61-year-old Russian Army serviceman in the Pokrovsk area. 5 500 29 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Trial of captured Aidar fighters in Russia 18 captured Aidar fighters on trial in Russia, face 20–24 years In Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, 18 captured fighters from the Aidar battalion are on trial, facing between 20 and 24 years in prison. 3 134 8 Previously in trend: Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

The FSB actively uses the families of prisoners for PSYOPs Russians use relatives of captured and missing soldiers to gather intelligence and carry out special tasks Russian special services are actively hunting down the families of captured and missing Ukrainian military personnel. 895 2 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs Ukrainians in Russian captivity

A Kenyan citizen fighting for Russia was captured by soldiers of the 57th SMB 57th SMB captured Kenyan citizen fighting for Russia: he had travelled to Russia as tourist. VIDEO Soldiers of the 57th Separate Motorised Infantry Brigade named after Kostia Hordiienko captured a Kenyan citizen in the Vovchansk sector who was fighting on the side of the Russian occupiers. 4 545 28 Previously in trend: foreign mercenaries in russian army

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. 10 369 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. 1 256 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. 1 536 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. 2 775 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. 3 938 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. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange. They managed to free 84 people, both military and civilians, from Russian captivity. 4 571 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... 2 977 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. 4 405 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. 1 814 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." 20 215 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. 10 123 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. 13 994 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. 1 792 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. 6 525 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. 895 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. 14 840 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. 4 318 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. 6 793 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." 1 619 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. 788 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. 2 608 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. 3 184 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. 4 957 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. 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. 3 675 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. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 8 907 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. 522 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. 3 897 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. 11 196 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. 10 109 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. 3 712 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. 3 276 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. 6 397 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap