13272 visitors online
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.

show details

News POWs

Prisoner exchange on 19 April Ukraine returns 277 soldiers from Russian captivity. VIDEO+PHOTOS Today, on 19 April, Ukraine returned another 277 defenders from Russian captivity. 12 776 25 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner swap on March 19. Ukraine brings back 197 soldiers Ukraine and Russia to conduct 246-for-246 prisoner swap tomorrow with UAE mediation – Sky News On Saturday, April 19, Russia and Ukraine will carry out a new prisoner swap. 2 270 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukrainian POW sentenced in Russia Russian court sentences Ukrainian POW to 12 years for serving in Armed Forces of Ukraine In Rostov-on-Don in Russia, the Southern District Military Court sentenced Ukrainian soldier Vladyslav Hurin, who was mobilized into the Armed Forces in May 2024, to 12 years in prison for "participation in the activities of a terrorist organization." 1 855 5 Previously in trend: Sentences for Ukrainians in the Russian Federation

Occupiers shoot an unarmed captured Ukrainian serviceman in Volnovakha district Ruscists shoot unarmed captured Ukrainian soldier near Rozdolne in Donetsk region Russian invaders shot an unarmed prisoner of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the village of Rozdolne in the Volnovakha district of the Donetsk region. 4 574 5 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners Execution of Ukrainian POWs

Prisoners of war from China MFA is communicating with China through diplomatic channels on captured Chinese citizens, - spokesman Tykhyi The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is maintaining contacts with China through diplomatic channels regarding Chinese citizens taken prisoner by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk region. 545 3 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals Chinese mercenaries in Russian army

Special Operations Forces captured three Russian soldiers SOF fighters carried out successful raid on enemy positions and captured three ruscists. VIDEO The soldiers of the 6th Ranger Regiment of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine conducted a successful raid on the positions of Russian troops in one of the operational areas and captured three occupants. 3 983 1 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Chinese prisoners ask China to take them as part of the exchange Prisoners of war are Chinese citizens: Ukrainian military were not killed Chinese nationals who fought on the side of the Russian Federation and were captured by the Ukrainian military in Donetsk region said they were ready for an exchange. They also rejected the Chinese government's involvement in sending them to war. 2 069 21 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

Chinese prisoners tell how they ended up in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia Chinese captured by Ukrainian Armed Forces tell how they got into war against Ukraine Two Chinese citizens, Zhang Renbo and Wang Guangjun, who fought on the side of the Russian army and were captured by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke about how Russia recruits foreigners and how they ended up at the front in Ukraine. 4 069 29 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals Participation of Chinese nationals in the war against Ukraine

Russian prisoner 16 years in high-security colony: for first time in Russia, military man is tried for voluntarily surrendering to Armed Forces of Ukraine In Russia, the state prosecution has requested 16 years in a maximum security colony for Russian serviceman Roman Ivanishin, who is accused of voluntary surrender to the Ukrainian Armed Forces for the first time in Russia. 13 692 32 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Case against occupier

The Special Operation Forces captured 14 Russians in the Kursk region SOF captured 14 Russian occupiers in Kursk region, including three officers. PHOTO In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, units of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured 14 Russian invaders, including three officers. 8 381 28 Previously in trend: AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region captured occupiers

Russia executes four Ukrainian prisoners of war near Pyatikhatki Russians executed four Ukrainian POWs in Zaporizhzhia region – AP. VIDEO The Russian military executed four Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Piatikhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region. 20 899 75 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

One of the captured Chinese during interrogation. Zelenskyy publishes second interrogation of captured Chinese national. VIDEO The Security Service of Ukraine is carrying out procedural actions with Chinese nationals who were taken prisoner by Ukrainian defenders in the Donetsk region. 7 975 34 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals Participation of Chinese nationals in the war against Ukraine

Beijing responds to Zelenskyy’s statement about Chinese fighting in Ukraine Captured Chinese nationals: Beijing urged Zelenskyy to "refrain from irresponsible remarks" China commented on the statement of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said that Kyiv has personal data of at least 155 Chinese fighting on the side of Russia. 27 352 130 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

Lin Jian China does not confirm information about 155 Chinese nationals fighting on side of Russia – Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian Chinese diplomats have no information about the presence of more than 155 Chinese nationals who, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, are fighting on the side of the Russian army against Ukraine. 2 104 18 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

Chinese POWs Zelenskyy publishes video of first interrogation of captured Chinese nationals. VIDEO SSU investigators talked to the first two captured Chinese nationals. 10 493 52 Previously in trend: Captured Chinese nationals

Seven Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk region sentenced in Russia Russia "sentences" seven Ukrainian POWs to 15–17 years in prison, including "Aidar" fighter A military court in Russia has "sentenced" seven Ukrainian servicemen, who were captured by Russian forces in the Kursk region, to prison terms ranging from 15 to 17 years. 2 871 7 Previously in trend: UAF operation in the Kursk region trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia

The occupier was captured in Sumy region. He is 61 years old He was wandering around Sumy region for day and half: border guards capture 61-year-old occupier. VIDEO+PHOTOS Soldiers of the Izmail border guard detachment captured a 61-year-old contractor occupier in the Sumy direction. 4 039 5 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

SOF captured two occupiers in Kursk sector SOF forced two ruscists to surrender in Kursk sector. VIDEO SOF captured Russian soldiers in the Kursk region. 3 832 1 Previously in trend: AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region captured occupiers

Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on February 28 Zelenskyy showed Trump photos of Ukrainian soldiers after being captured by Russia, which could have caused dispute - Time During his visit to the White House in late February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy brought not only a gift - the belt of world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk - but also photos of Ukrainian soldiers who had been captured by Russia. He showed them to US President Donald Trump. 12 708 51 Previously in trend: Trump-Zelenskyy dispute

National Guard soldier Petrovskyi before and after Russian captivity 1037 days and minus 40 kilograms: National Guard soldier Petrovskyi before and after Russian captivity. PHOTO During his time in Russian captivity, National Guard soldier Ivan Petrovskyi lost 40 kilograms. 11 712 39 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

DPRK prisoners of war Ambassador Ponomarenko: Ukraine does not consider issue of captured DPRK soldiers as subject of negotiations Ukraine believes that the issue of captured North Korean military personnel should be considered in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. 2 318 4 Previously in trend: prisoners of war of the DPRK

POW swap on March 19. Ukraine brings back 197 soldiers Since beginning of invasion, Ukraine has returned 4306 people from Russian captivity – Zelenskyy Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has returned 4306 people from Russian captivity. 682 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

6 soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade returned from captivity Six Azov Brigade soldiers returned from Russian captivity as part of today’s swap. PHOTOS As part of the POW swap that took place on Wednesday, 19 March, six soldiers of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard were released from Russian captivity. 7 772 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity

POW swap took place on 19 March. Ukraine returns 197 soldiers Ukraine brings back 175 POWs and 22 severely wounded defenders. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine brought back 175 POWs from Russian captivity, as well as 22 severely wounded defenders. 13 950 22 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchanges release missing persons Almost every exchange includes prisoners with status of missing persons - Lubinets In almost every exchange of prisoners of war with the Russian Federation, there are persons who have the status of missing under special circumstances. 997 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Captured DPRK military personnel Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and South Korea discuss repatriation of DPRK prisoners Foreign Ministers of South Korea and Ukraine Cho Tae-yul and Andrii Sybiha had a telephone conversation to discuss the repatriation of North Korean prisoners of war. 1 540 8 Previously in trend: prisoners of war of the DPRK

Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war: Amnesty International report At least 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war executed by Russian troops in 2024 - Amnesty International Ukraine According to an Amnesty International report, in 2024, the Russian occupation forces executed at least 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war. 1 153 3 Previously in trend: executions of Ukrainian military prisoners

Russian Federation condemns Ukrainians Szymanski and Morozov for plans to drop dirty bomb Two Ukrainian pilots convicted by Russian "court": they allegedly planned to drop "dirty bomb" in Bryansk region In Russia, a "court" sentenced Ukrainian pilots Oleksandr Morozov and Dmytro Shymanskyi, who were accused of planning to use a "dirty bomb" in the Bryansk region, allegedly on the instructions of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine. They were sentenced to 26 and 22 years in prison. 7 782 25 Previously in trend: trial of Ukrainian prisoners in Russia claims of a dirty bomb

trump, zelenskyy Zelenskyy shows Trump photos of Ukrainian military before and after Russian captivity During a meeting at the White House, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed Donald Trump a photo of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 7 890 19 Previously in trend: Trump-Zelenskyy meeting

Russian soldier confesses to shooting Ukrainian prisoner of war in Kursk region of Russia Ruscist confesses to execution of wounded Ukrainian soldier in Russia’s Kursk region: "I admit my guilt, I am ready to be punished". VIDEO A Russian serviceman of the 810th Marine Brigade confesses to shooting a Ukrainian prisoner of war who was seriously wounded in the leg. 10 889 28 Previously in trend: execution of a wounded AFU soldier

Budanov told which prisoners are difficult to exchange Budanov regarding prisoner exchange: Certain categories of prisoners have become ’problematic’ for both Ukraine and Russia The head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said that the exchange of certain categories of prisoners is difficult to perceive in the societies of Ukraine and Russia. 6 946 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange Ukraine is constantly promoting possibility of "all-for-all" exchange of prisoners with Russia - Coordination Center Ukraine has lists of citizens held in Russian captivity and is constantly promoting the possibility of an "all-for-all" exchange. 1 036 7

IL-76 crashes in Belgorod region IL-76 plane crash near Belgorod: DNA matches of remains of almost 50 prisoners - Coordination Center Russia claims that it has handed over to Ukraine the remains of 62 Ukrainian prisoners of war who were allegedly on an Il-76 plane that crashed in the Belgorod region. An examination confirmed the DNA matches of the remains of almost 50 prisoners. 13 664 37

North Koreans believe that the military from South Korea is fighting against them DPRK soldiers believe that South Korean military is fighting against them in Kursk region - prisoner One of the captured DPRK soldiers said that propaganda told them that they were fighting against soldiers from South Korea in the Kursk region. 5 962 31 Previously in trend: War

Zelenskyy calls for prisoner exchange during peace talks If we are talking about negotiations, we must also talk about exchange of prisoners, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if there is a will to end the war in Ukraine, then first of all, we need to talk about prisoner exchanges. 1 644 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Peace negotiations

Bodies of 757 fallen defenders returned to Ukraine Since beginning of invasion, Ukraine has returned 7017 bodies of fallen servicemen, - Coordination Centre Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 7,017 bodies of fallen defenders have been returned to the territory of our country during 75 repatriations. 986 5

Prokopenko They have been held in inhumane conditions for almost 33 months – Prokopenko on absence of Azov fighters among released POWs Among the Ukrainian servicemen released from Russian captivity on Wednesday, February 5, there are no soldiers of the Azov brigade. 6 746 51 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

The exchange of prisoners took place on 5 February 2025 Ukraine returns 150 soldiers from Russian captivity (updated). PHOTOS Ukraine returned 150 defenders from Russian captivity. 13 805 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Sybiha is dissatisfied with the passivity of ambassadors to Arab and African countries Ukraine calls on world community to take urgent measures due to mass executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war - Sybiha Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on the international community to take immediate action due to the confirmed increase in the number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian troops. 1 503 6

war crimes of the russian army 79 cases of executions of Ukrainian prisoners have been recorded by UN since August Since August 2024, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has recorded 79 cases of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war in 24 separate incidents. 1 284 8

Captured DPRK soldier tells about being sent to Russia Interrogation of captured DPRK soldier: I did not know I would fight in Russia. VIDEO A North Korean captured soldier said that he did not even know who he was fighting against on the side of the Russian army. 5 888 26 Previously in trend: War

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners on January 15 Ukraine has achieved separate format for return of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, - Coordination Center on today’s exchange During today's exchange, 25 seriously ill and wounded prisoners were returned to Ukraine. 2 124 2 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine returns 25 people from Russian captivity Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity 6 350 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

Ukrainian Armed Forces capture DPRK soldiers South Korea is ready to take back two DPRK soldiers who were captured by Ukraine - Yonhap The South Korean government plans to hold consultations with Ukraine on the possibility of handing over two North Korean soldiers who were captured during the fighting in Ukraine. 7 948 64

Russian commander Chikhabakha ordered to behead Ukrainian soldier in June 2014 Russian Storm Commander Chihabakha (Sber) ordered to behead Ukrainian soldier in Donetsk region - DeepState. PHOTO In cooperation with a unit of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, the investigators identified the Russian commander of the Storm assault company, who in June 2024 ordered his subordinates to behead a Ukrainian prisoner of war in the Staromaiorske area of the Donetsk region. 26 115 44

Ombudsman Lubinets on prisoner exchanges with Russia in 2025 There is preliminary agreement with Russia that prisoner exchanges will become systematic in 2025 - Lubinets Exchanges of prisoners of war and civilians between Russia and Ukraine in 2025 should be systematic. 1 223 13

Investigation launched into shooting of two Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners by enemy in Volnovakha district Prosecutor General’s Office: Ruscists shot two captured Ukrainian soldiers at point blank range near Vremivka Russian invaders shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Vremivka, Volnovakha district, Donetsk region. The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into the war crime. 7 629 27 Previously in trend: War

1358 Ukrainians returned from Russian captivity in 2024 Ukraine returned 1358 people from Russian captivity in 2024, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that in 2024, 1,358 Ukrainians, including both military and civilians, were returned from Russian captivity. 859 12 Previously in trend: War