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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

На Донеччині російські окупанти обезголовили воїна ЗСУ Ruscists behead Ukrainian soldier in Donetsk region: investigation is launched - Prosecutor General’s Office On June 17, 2024, the Ukrainian military received information that representatives of one of the Russian troops' units in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region had ordered their subordinates not to take Ukrainian soldiers prisoner. Instead, to kill them with inhuman cruelty - by beheading. 26 256 46 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

МКС зосередиться на воєнних злочинах РФ ICC to focus on Russian war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war, says Prosecutor Hollis The Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has focused its attention on Russian war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war. 925 3 Previously in trend: War

Уповноважений Верховної Ради з прав людини Дмитро Лубінець Lubinets on Moskalkova’s accusations of alleged unwillingness to exchange prisoners: Ukraine is ready to bring back all defenders from Russian captivity The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets responded to the publication of the Russian Human Rights Commissioner Tatiana Moskalkova by saying that Ukraine is ready to take all defenders from captivity. 1 684 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Генпрокурор Андрій Костін 90% of prisoners of war are subjected to torture in Russia, - Kostin 90% of prisoners of war in Russian captivity are subject to physical and moral torture. 1 891 13

Визволені військовополонені зможуть звільнитися зі служби незалежно віддати обміну All those liberated from captivity, regardless of date of exchange, may be discharged from military service - MIA All servicemen who have been released from captivity can discharge from military service, regardless of the date of the exchange. 3 608 15

Роман Горилик після полону Senior controller of checkpoint of Chernobyl NPP Roman Horylyk after 2 years of Russian captivity. PHOTOS Ukrainian Roman Horylyk has lost a lot of weight over the 2 years of his Russian captivity, and representatives of international organizations have never visited him during this time. This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the project "I Want to Live". 31 166 58

Катування українських полонених Proceedings initiated over ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kharkiv direction - Prosecutor General’s Office. PHOTO The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office opened proceedings over the ill-treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kharkiv direction, and a pre-trial investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) was launched. 5 049 8

Лубінець про відео з військовополоненими українцями - звернувся до МКЧХ та ООН I appealed to ICRC and UN to document fact of abuse - Lubinets about video with Ukrainian prisoners of war Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets sent official letters to the ICRC and the UN to document the facts of the abuse, which were captured on a video shared by the occupiers on social media. 9 413 24

прикордонники що повернулися з російського полону What prisoners look like after being tortured in Russian prisons. PHOTOS The State Border Guard Service has published photos of border guards who returned from Russian captivity today. 31 560 51 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

Окупант в українському кітелі здався у полон Occupier put on coat of Ukrainian army and surrendered as prisoner in Donetsk region. VIDEO The Russian invader decided to surrender and put on a Ukrainian army uniform. 12 750 20 Previously in trend: War

Оборона Азовсталі у Маріуполі More than 1,900 soldiers from "Azovstal" are still in Russian captivity Today, May 20, is the second anniversary of Mariupol defenders leaving Azovstal. However, more than 1,900 of them are still in Russian captivity. 3 471 30 Previously in trend: War

38 тисяч українців вважаються зниклими безвісти Almost 38,000 people are considered missing under special circumstances in Ukraine Currently, the Unified Register of Persons Missing under Special Circumstances contains the data of about 38,000 Ukrainians. It contains data on both military personnel and civilians. 1 950 8 Previously in trend: War

зеленський Zelenskyy: Issue of "all-for-all" POW exchange will be discussed at peace summit in Switzerland The peace summit to be held in June in Switzerland will consider the exchange of prisoners of war in the "all-for-all" format between Russia and Ukraine. 3 446 61 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Акція на підтримку полонених Rallies in support of captured defenders of Mariupol took place in Kyiv, Lviv and Kharkiv. PHOTOS On 28 April, actions in support of the captured defenders of Mariupol were held in Kyiv, Lviv and Kharkiv. 1 830 10

прокуратура There are 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war executed by occupiers. Details of shooting near Krynky are still being checked - Prosecutor General’s Office The Office of the Prosecutor General has 27 criminal proceedings on the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. It is about the murder of 54 defenders. 9 471 18

лубінець Russia doubts whether to allow Turkish ombudsman to visit Ukrainian prisoners - Lubinets. VIDEO Russia is considering whether to allow the Turkish ombudsman to visit Ukrainian prisoners of war on the territory of the aggressor country. 1 622 2

іштуганов Execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Krynky: Russian commander who gave order identified The order for the brutal execution of three Ukrainian prisoners of war could have been given by the commander of the Russian Armed Forces, Sergei Ishtuganov. 40 901 80

прокуратура Russians shoot three Ukrainian prisoners of war in Krynky, Kherson region The Russian military shot three Ukrainian prisoners near Krynky, Kherson region. 22 372 86

рф,армія,росія,росіяни Over winter, UN mission recorded execution of 32 Ukrainian prisoners of war by occupiers According to a report by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Russia continues to torture and execute Ukrainian prisoners of war. 6 280 20 Previously in trend: War

акція Action "Do not be silent. Captivity Kills" campaign in support of Ukrainian prisoners of war took place in centre of Kyiv. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, on 24 March, the action "Do not be silent. Captivity Kills" in support of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 2 761 24

дмитро,лубінець Russia delays prisoner of war exchanges as much as possible - Lubinets Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that the Russian side was delaying the exchange process as much as possible. 641 2

полонені,українські Russians are brutally torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers - UN report Ukrainian prisoners of war are subjected to brutal torture, including electric shocks, threats of rape, and denial of medical aid. The UN’s independent international commission investigating violations in Ukraine found new evidence of this. 25 408 62

армія,російська Since beginning of full-scale war, law enforcement officers have documented 45 cases of execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war - Prosecutor General’s Office As of March 2024, Ukrainian law enforcement agencies have documented and are investigating 45 cases of murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The proceedings are identifying not only the direct perpetrators of these crimes, but also those who could have ordered the execution of captured soldiers. 988 6

російські,полонені,військовополонені How do Russian prisoners of war live and what do they do in Ukraine. PHOTOS Somewhere in western Ukraine, there is a special camp where Russians who came to our country to commit barbarism, kill and abuse people are kept. What do they do today and what are their daily routines like? 8 620 21 Previously in trend: War

акція,полонені "Third spring in hell": action in support of captured defenders of Mariupol took place in Kyiv. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, March 3, another action was held in Lviv Square in Kyiv in support of the defenders of prisoners of war "Azovstal" "Third Spring in Hell". 2 385 14

полон,окупант,біжить Occupier is running after Ukrainian drone to surrender. VIDEO The occupier voluntarily surrendered after Ukrainian soldiers from the 10th SMAB showed him the direction of movement by dropping a note with instructions from the drone. 11 016 18 Previously in trend: War

військовополонені,обмін Ukraine creates information system on prisoners of war The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a Resolution approving the Regulation on the Information System for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. It is about the defenders of Ukraine who are in captivity of the aggressor state, civilian prisoners and missing persons. 1 034 4

військовополонені Russians again shot Ukrainian prisoners of war - Lubinets. VIDEO Another execution of Ukrainian prisoners by Russians was recorded. 33 656 160

авдіївка Russians agreed to evacuate wounded from Zenit and then shot them - 110th Mechanized Brigade The Russians were supposed to evacuate the wounded Ukrainian soldiers from the besieged Zenit stronghold, but instead shot them. 27 703 189

розстріл This morning occupiers shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war in area of responsibility of "Khortytsia" OSTG - Land Forces. VIDEO The Russian occupiers shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia OSTG. It happened in the morning of 18 February. 32 458 114 Previously in trend: War

донеччина,авдіївка Relatives identified bodies of soldiers Ivan Zhytnyk, Andriy Dubnytsky and Hryhoriy Pavlov. They were wounded by occupiers at Zenit position in Avdiivka.. PHOTO Investigative journalists from Slidstvo.info spoke to the mother, wife and sister of three Ukrainian defenders who were left wounded at the Zenit position in Avdiivka. 78 464 369 Previously in trend: War

авдіївка Some Ukrainian soldiers were captured during withdrawal from Avdiivka, - Tarnavskyi Covering the organized withdrawal of our units from Avdiivka, the artillery of the Tauria unit performed almost 400 firing missions. 53 893 302 Previously in trend: War

дії,бойові Ukrainian troops capture 12 occupiers in Zaporizhzhia direction. VIDEO The soldiers of the 65th Brigade repelled an attack by an enemy assault group and captured 12 occupiers in the Zaporizhzhia direction. 11 246 19 Previously in trend: War

війна Occupiers shot two captured Ukrainian soldiers: "No prisoners! Shoot them all! Let them not bunch up". VIDEO A pro-Kremlin military blogger published footage from a Russian drone. It shows an enemy commander, having seen Ukrainian prisoners in a drone video, saying: "Take no prisoners! Shoot them all! Let them not bunch up". After that, the Russian military first killed one prisoner and then another. It is known that the tragedy took place near the Alabaster Pond, east of the village of Klishchiivka, Bakhmut district, Donetsk region. 58 846 255 Previously in trend: War Russian agression

володимир,цема-бурсов Volodymyr Tsema-Bursov, liberated soldier of 56th Brigade, lost 38 kg in 20 months of captivity and got "bunch" of diseases. PHOTO A month ago, Vladimir Tsema-Bursov returned from Russian captivity. After the exchange, the 41-year-old man is undergoing treatment in a medical facility in Poltava. 38 147 129 Previously in trend: War

шайтан,рософіцер Russian Armed Forces commander in captivity: "I was abandoned by GRU special forces, and Ukrainian became blood brother". VIDEO In heavy fighting in May-September 2023, soldiers of the 3rd Assault Brigade defeated the Russian 72nd Motorised Rifle Brigade in the village of Andriivka, near Bakhmut. Most of the enemy brigade’s officers were killed. 35 696 59 Previously in trend: War

данилов There were no Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian IL-76 - Danilov. VIDEO NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that there were definitely no Ukrainian prisoners of war on the IL-76 plane that crashed in Belgorod region of Russia. 10 361 40 Previously in trend: War

обмін Most of soldiers who returned from captivity today are defenders of Mariupol and Azovstal - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address on the return of Ukrainians from captivity. 6 478 84 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

полонені Lubinets appealed to UN and Red Cross due to illegal sentences of 33 Ukrainian prisoners of war in "DPR". VIDEO Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets sent official letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross over the latest illegal trials of Ukrainian defenders in the so-called "DPR" by the occupiers. 2 192 7

полонені Occupiers sentenced 33 Ukrainian prisoners of war to imprisonment for terms from 27 to 29 years The "Supreme Court" of the so-called "DPR" sentenced 33 Ukrainian soldiers from the 36th Marine Brigade of the Ukrainian Navy and the 17th Tank Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to 27 to 29 years in prison in a maximum security colony. 8 070 33 Previously in trend: War

граната,полон,окупант200 Occupant tries to throw grenade at Ukrainian soldiers during surrender. VIDEO The occupier, surrendering, tried to kill Ukrainian soldiers by throwing a grenade at them. 35 391 66 Previously in trend: War

прокопенко,денис,редіс,редис More than 900 "Azov" fighters who defended Mariupol are still in Russian captivity - brigade commander Prokopenko More than 900 soldiers of the "Azov" brigade, who held the defense of Mariupol for 86 days, are still being held captive by the Russians. In two years, the names of "Azovians" appeared on the lists for exchange only a few times. 6 091 28 Previously in trend: War

обмін Ukrainian soldiers released from captivity talk to their families on phone: "Mom, I’m in Ukraine. I’m alive". VIDEO Videos have been published online showing the first conversations between Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian captivity and their families. 7 456 12 Previously in trend: War

військовополонені,обмін No prisoners allegedly transported by Russia in downed IL-76 aircraft during today’s big exchange - Defence Intelligence of Ukraine The list of prisoners exchanged today, 31 January, did not include those allegedly transported by Russia in the IL-76 aircraft shot down on 24 January. 6 873 36

зеленський Zelenskyy on exchange of prisoners: Almost half are defenders of Mariupol. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that today 180 privates and sergeants, as well as 27 officers, were released from Russian captivity. 4 860 35 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

затримання An Armed Forces sergeant deserted and tricked prisoner’s wife out of 70,000 UAH, promising to release him from captivity. PHOTOS A soldier from Sumy region did not return to his military unit after treatment. He engaged in fraud: he deceived the wife of a prisoner of war and tricked her out of UAH 70 thousand for promises to release her husband from captivity. 10 247 19

військовополонені Organisation of today’s prisoner exchange was facilitated by UAE - Coordination Centre. PHOTOS The 50th prisoner exchange took place today: Ukraine returned another 207 Ukrainian defenders. As part of the work of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, on behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, more than two hundred Ukrainian defenders have been returned. 5 693 23 Previously in trend: War

військовополонені,обмін Ukraine returns 207 prisoners of war home. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Today, 31 January, a major exchange of prisoners of war took place. Ukraine returned 207 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity. 20 046 54 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War