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

return from captivity In 2024, 356 more people were returned from Russian captivity than in 2023 - Coordination Center In 2024, Ukraine managed to return 356 more people from Russian captivity than in 2023. 569 2

On December 30, 11 soldiers of the 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade returned from Russian captivity. 11 soldiers of Azov Brigade have returned from Russian captivity, having endured nearly three years of harsh trials - Prokopenko During the exchange of POWs on Monday, December 30, 11 servicemen of the 12th Special Forces Brigade "Azov" returned to Ukraine from the Russian hell. 6 051 16

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve 76 servicemen of Ministry of Internal Affairs returned from captivity as part of today’s exchange - Klymenko As part of the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on December 30, 76 servicemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs returned home today. 2 064 8

Zelenskyy appoints Reshetylova as military ombudsman Zelenskyy appoints Reshetylova as military ombudsman. PHOTO On 30 December, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree appointing Olha Reshetylova (Kobylynska) as the Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Their Families. 9 363 71

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners of war on December 30 One of largest exchanges since beginning of full-scale invasion took place today, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released - Coordination Center. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS On Monday, 30 December, 189 citizens were released and returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among those who returned are prisoners of war in the Kursk region, civilians, and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. 7 633 21

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve Ukraine returns 189 defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On New Year's Eve, 30 December, Ukraine returned 189 Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity. 11 907 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Paratroopers of 77th Airborne Brigade captured 11 occupiers. Among them is Belarusian 77 Separate Airmobile Brigade captures 11 occupiers: one of them is citizen of Belarus. VIDEO The soldiers of the 77th separate airmobile Naddniprianska brigade, together with other units, captured 11 Russian invaders. 8 203 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians shoot our prisoners 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade on execution of prisoners on Vremivka Ledge: There were 6 soldiers at position, two were killed by shelling, four were executed The occupiers shot four Ukrainian servicemen of the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade near the Vremivka ledge, two soldiers of the brigade who were on the position were killed in the shelling. 7 645 29

Execution of prisoners Lubinets to appeal to UN and Red Cross over the shooting of five Ukrainian prisoners of war by occupiers The occupiers shot a group of 5 captured Ukrainian soldiers. 3 459 33

occupiers shot Ukrainian prisoners Occupiers once again shot Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered after being surrounded. VIDEO Russian invaders have again shot Ukrainian prisoners of war. This was recorded by drone operators of the 110th Separate Mechanised Brigade. 28 852 185 Previously in trend: War

Lubinets met with Moskalkova on December 20 Lubinets meets with Moskalkova in Belarus: lists of prisoners of war were handed over and parcels and letters were exchanged. PHOTOS Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets met with Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova in Belarus with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). 4 194 11

Dmytro Lubinets In month or two, it will be known whether Russians really handed over bodies of prisoners from IL-76 to Ukraine - Lubinets The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that the examination of the bodies, which Russia claims are the remains of Ukrainian prisoners of war killed during the downing of the IL-76 in January 2024, will take up to two months. 2 283 10 Previously in trend: War

Russia executed 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war in three years Russia executed 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war during three years of war - Lubinets Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 177 cases of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war have been documented. 738 4 Previously in trend: War

"Azov" fighter Oleksandr Maksymchuk, sentenced to 20 years in colony, tells about torture in Taganrog detention centre Torture, beatings, starvation: "Azov" fighter Maksymchuk, sentenced to 20 years in colony, tells about his detention in Taganrog detention centre Oleksandr Maksymchuk, a Ukrainian prisoner of war from the ‘Azov’ battalion, sentenced to 20 years in a maximum security colony, spoke about the brutal torture he suffered in Detention Centre-2 in Taganrog, Russia. In this way, Russian security forces tried to force him to admit guilt, repent... 3 862 3

IL-76 in Belgorod region Remains of victims, who were allegedly on board IL-76, were handed over to Ukraine. Identification is ongoing - Lubinets on Moskalkova’s statement The remains of the victims transferred to Ukraine are currently being identified. 3 422 9

Crash of IL-76 Russia has handed over remains to Ukraine that require additional identification. It is being established whether they belong to Ukrainian military - Coordination Centre on Moskalkova’s statement During the latest repatriation activities, Russia handed over to Ukraine the remains of dead people that require additional identification. 2 283 2 Previously in trend: War

The first meeting of the Council of the Coordination Headquarters for POWs Minister of Internal Affairs Klymenko participates in meeting of Council of Coordination Headquarters on POWs. PHOTOS Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko joined the first meeting of the Council of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. 987 5 Previously in trend: War

Kadyrov threatens to use Ukrainian POWs as human shield against drones Kadyrov threatens to use Ukrainian POWs as human shield against UAV attacks During the "teleconference", the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov put Ukrainian POWs held on the territory of the republic in front of him and announced plans to place them on the roofs of strategically important facilities as a "human shield". He also suggested a prisoner to shoot himself. 7 940 41 Previously in trend: War

Russians shoot POWs at Pokrovsk direction Russians shoot four more POWs in Pokrovsk direction - Prosecutor General’s Office On 22 November 2024, Russians shot four POWs in the Pokrovsk direction. 10 846 33 Previously in trend: War

Occupiers shoot 5 captured AFU soldiers in Zaporizhzhia Lubinets appeals to UN and ICRC over shooting of Ukrainian POWs by Russians in Zaporizhzhia The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets sent letters to the UN and the ICRC over the shooting of five captured Ukrainian servicemen in Zaporizhzhia by the Russian occupiers. 1 940 4 Previously in trend: War

Поблизу Вугледара окупанти розстріляли п’ятьох полонених безбройних бійців ЗСУ Ruscists shot 5 unarmed captives of AFU near Vuhledar - Prosecutor General’s Office. PHOTO Russian invaders captured five unarmed Ukrainian soldiers near Vuhledar, Donetsk region, who were later shot dead. 14 010 38 Previously in trend: War

Прокуратура розслідує 53 кримінальні провадження за фактами розстрілу 177 оборонців України Prosecutor General’s Office: 53 proceedings on shooting of 177 Ukrainian POWs by ruscists are being investigated In October-November 2024, 13 criminal proceedings were registered over the execution of 54 Ukrainian POWs. This is a third of all proceedings initiated in 2024 over such facts. 634 1 Previously in trend: War

Ворог розстріляв полонених воїнів ЗСУ у Курській області Ruscists shoot group of Ukrainian prisoners of war who were surrounded in Kursk region Russian invaders probably shot Ukrainian prisoners of war who were surrounded in the Kursk region. 40 150 58

Рашисти розстріляли полонених на Покровському напрямку Russians once again shot Ukrainian POWs in Pokrovsk direction - Prosecutor General’s Office. VIDEO On November 10, the occupiers shot captured Ukrainian servicemen in the Pokrovsk direction. 16 965 19

Дмитро Лубінець Since beginning of full-scale invasion, 3767 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity, - Lubinets Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, 3767 Ukrainians have been returned home from Russian captivity. 186 of them are civilians. 435 4

зсу,армія Law enforcers identify six Ukrainian POWs killed by Russians in Pokrovsk direction - PGO Law enforcement officers managed to identify six Ukrainian POWs killed by Russians in the Pokrovsk direction. 7 074 0

47 ОМБр взяла в полон рашиста, який був свідком страти українських воїнів He witnessed execution of captured AFU soldiers: 47th SMB captures ex-Wagnerian in Kursk region Soldiers of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade (SMB) captured a Russian occupier from the 155th Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet in Kursk region. According to him, he witnessed the execution of Ukrainian defenders. 8 737 13 Previously in trend: War

Росіяни розстріляли групу українських військовополонених Russians shoot six captured Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk direction - Prosecutor’s Office Russian occupants shot six captured Ukrainian soldiers in the Pokrovsk direction. 18 869 38

полонені Ukraine is aware of more than 150 places where Russia holds prisoners of war together with civilians - Coordination Center In Russia and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, there are more than 150 places where Russians are holding Ukrainian prisoners of war along with civilians. 722 8

Центру реінтеграції для звільнених з полону військовослужбовців First institution with status of reintegration center for servicemen released from captivity has appeared, - Umerov The first healthcare facility in the Ministry of Defense system has received the status of a reintegration center for servicemen released from captivity. 877 5

Конференція в Канаді More than 45 countries signed commitment to return civilian and POWs captured by Russia to Ukraine - Coordination Headquarters for Treatment of POWs In Montreal, during a ministerial conference on the human dimension of war, more than 45 countries signed a commitment to return civilians, POWs and children captured by Russia to Ukraine. 633 0

уряд, засідання Cabinet of Ministers has established Council of Coordination Headquarters for Treatment of POWs On Friday, November 1, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ordered the creation of the Council of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs. 737 10

Лубінець отримав списки зниклих безвісти військових Through mediation of Qatar, it was possible to obtain lists of missing soldiers and letters of Ukrainian prisoners of war - Lubinets Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, held a meeting in Qatar with the Minister of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lolva Rashid Al Khater, and received lists of missing servicemen and letters from Ukrainian prisoners of war. 1 764 4

Визволені військовополонені пройдуть реабілітацію в Литві Servicemen liberated from captivity will be able to undergo rehabilitation in Lithuania, - Coordination Center During the second session of the Assembly of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, Ukrainian and Lithuanian deputies agreed to cooperate on the rehabilitation of Ukrainian defenders who were released from captivity. 727 1

Дмитро Лубінець Lubinets appeals to UN and ICRC over shooting of Ukrainian POWs near Selydove by Russians The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets appealed to international organizations because of the shooting of two Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russians near the town of Selydove in the Donetsk region. 1 966 9

повернення з полону Ukraine returned 95 defenders from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Ukraine has released 95 soldiers from Russian captivity, including Azovstal defenders. 11 491 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

страта, воєнний злочин Prosecutor’s Office: Russians shot wounded Ukrainian POW in Bakhmut direction In the Bakhmut direction near New York, Donetsk region, Russian occupiers allegedly shot a wounded AFU serviceman. The prosecutor's office has launched an investigation into another war crime committed by the Russian Federation. 5 191 9

Лубінець: Росіяни стратили понад 100 українських військовополонених Russians killed more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered - Lubinets It is currently known about more than a hundred Ukrainian soldiers who were executed by Russians when they fell prisoner. 1 742 9 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Табір для тримання російських військовополонених Центр-5 New camp for Russian prisoners of war, "Center-5", has been opened in Ukraine. VIDEO A new camp for Russian prisoners of war, "Centre-5", has been opened in Ukraine. It provides conditions for holding prisoners of war with injuries, including amputees, bedridden prisoners of war, prisoners of war with various diseases, etc. 11 926 61

Акція на Майдані 16 жовтня Rally of relatives of prisoners of war and missing persons took place in Kyiv. PHOTOS An action in support of missing soldiers and those in captivity was held on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. 2 784 5

Воїни Третьої штурмової взяли в полон групу рашистів на Харківщині Soldiers of 3rd SAB captured group of occupiers in Kharkiv region. PHOTOS Soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade captured another group of Russian invaders. 10 509 20 Previously in trend: War

рідних українських військовополонених попередили про небезпеку співпраці з РФ Ombudsman’s Office: Cooperation of relatives of Ukrainian POWs with Russia may endanger prisoner and reduce his chances for exchange The relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war have been warned about the danger of cooperation with Russia, emphasizing that it could harm both the prisoner and reduce his chances of exchange. 1 482 3

Генеральний прокурор України Андрій Костін Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by occupiers are deliberate policy of Russian Federation, their number has increased over past year - Kostin Over the past year, the number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the occupiers has increased, and such crimes are not isolated incidents but a deliberate policy of the Russian Federation. 1 018 2

Генпрокурор Андрій Костін про розстріл українських військовополонених Criminal proceedings initiated over alleged shooting of 9 Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk region - Kostin The Office of the Prosecutor General has opened a criminal investigation into the alleged shooting of nine Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kursk region. 2 681 10 Previously in trend: War

Сибіга про розстріл окупантами українських військовополонених Sybiha regarding execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by occupiers: international community must take immediate measures The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, reacted to reports of the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian occupiers and called on the international community to take immediate measures. 4 452 89

розстріл полонених на Курщині Lubinets appealed to UN and ICRC regarding shooting by Russians of 9 Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk region Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, sent letters to the UN and the ICRC regarding another Russian crime - the shooting of 9 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kursk region. 6 947 39 Previously in trend: War

розстріл полонених на Курщині Occupiers shot 9 captured Ukrainian soldiers in Kursk region - DeepState Russian troops shoot a group of captured Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region. 34 685 159 Previously in trend: War

Лубінець про звільнення українців, засуджених у Росії During entire war, 57 people who were convicted and under investigation in Russia have been released - Lubinets Ukraine knows where Russia is holding illegally convicted prisoners of war and civilian hostages 463 3