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Ukraine continues its relentless efforts to bring its prisoners of war (POWs) back home. In recent updates, several prisoner exchanges have been successfully executed, with many Ukrainian soldiers being repatriated. Kyrylo Budanov, head of the President's Office, announced an upcoming major exchange. Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters regularly publishes statistics and outcomes of these exchanges, highlighting the return of numerous wounded and ill service members. Reports have also emerged about severe mistreatment and execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian forces, raising international concern. The commitment to securing the release of Ukrainian POWs remains steadfast, with ongoing negotiations anticipated to yield further successful exchanges.
What is the current status of Ukrainian POW exchanges?
Ukrainian and Russian authorities have been actively engaged in prisoner of war exchanges, with several successful operations recently reported. Key initiatives by Ukraine have resulted in the return of a significant number of its servicemen from Russian captivity, despite reports of severe mistreatment. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of remaining POWs.
How have POWs been treated during captivity?
Reports indicate that Ukrainian POWs have faced harsh conditions during their captivity in Russia, including instances of torture and execution. International bodies, including the UN, have documented cases of ill-treatment, urging for human rights to be upheld in accordance with international law.
Who oversees the prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia?
The Coordination Headquarters in Ukraine plays a key role in managing prisoner exchanges with Russia. This body compiles statistics, coordinates negotiations, and ensures that returned service members receive the appropriate care and attention upon their release from captivity.
Are there upcoming prisoner exchanges planned?
Yes, ongoing talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials suggest that additional prisoner exchanges are planned for the near future. These negotiations continue to aim for the release of as many Ukrainian defenders as possible, with strategic coordination efforts made by high-profile officials like Kyrylo Budanov.
What challenges are faced in conducting POW exchanges?
Organizing and executing prisoner exchanges involves complex negotiations often hindered by political tensions. The process can be delayed due to non-compliance or disruptions by either side, making it a challenging diplomatic endeavor to ensure the safe return of POWs.
Photo news POWs
Ten Ukrainian soldiers who were considered missing in action have been returned to Ukraine. PHOTOS As part of the prisoner exchange, 10 prisoners of war have been returned to Ukraine. 7 624 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Among those freed from Russian captivity are soldiers, sergeants and several officers, most are wounded or seriously ill – Coordination Headquarters. PHOTOS Today, following negotiations, the first stage of another prisoner exchange was conducted. A total of 103 service members were freed from Russian captivity. Most of them are wounded or seriously ill. 2 219 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
76th prisoner exchange: among those released are 115 defenders of Mariupol, Coordination Headquarters says. PHOTOS As part of today’s 76th combined prisoner exchange, 115 defenders of Mariupol returned from Russian captivity. 2 217 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange: 160 defenders have returned home. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of prisoners of war. 160 Ukrainian defenders have been released. 5 126 27 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out prisoner exchange: 185 Ukrainian defenders have been returned to their homeland. PHOTOS 185 Ukrainian defenders have been freed from Russian captivity as part of a prisoner exchange. 5 014 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 8 552 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 3 755 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner exchange: 193 defenders released. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange. 5 749 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 4 887 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 6 647 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 5 204 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
200 Ukrainian soldiers freed from Russian captivity. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war, with 200 Ukrainian defenders being returned. 7 773 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 10 154 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 6 861 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 6 991 68 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
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. 3 427 7 Previously in trend: Captured Russian mercenaries
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. 6 592 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 7 088 30
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. 4 638 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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... 3 155 38
"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." 20 375 52 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons War crimes of Russia
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. 10 245 37 Previously in trend: Escape of russian pows
Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners. Military personnel and civilians are returning, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO+PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war. 6 587 47 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 6 861 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 873 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 3 275 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 5 011 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 9 004 21 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 10 301 20 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity
Fourth prisoner exchange in week takes place - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Today, 14 June 2025, another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. 6 487 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine and Russia have carried out another exchange of seriously wounded and seriously ill soldiers. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine and Russia have conducted another exchange of prisoners of war. 5 361 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine brings back seriously wounded and injured defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On 10 June, the second group of prisoners of war returned to Ukraine. Severely wounded and seriously ill Ukrainian defenders returned home from Russian captivity. 8 383 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Russians branded words "Glory to Russia" into body of captured Ukrainian soldier. PHOTO OF THE DAY After the exchange, the Ukrainian defender showed the horrific consequences of being in Russian captivity. 19 305 68 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia
Ukraine and Russia have begun POWs’ exchange. It will continue in coming days, - Zelenskyy. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine has started the exchange of POWs with Russia. It will continue in several stages in the coming days. 7 510 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Coordination Headquarters explained release of traitor Taranenko from captivity: Ukraine did not influence Russian lists, law enforcement agencies will deal with him. PHOTO As part of the "1000-for-1000" prisoner exchange, Anatolii Taranenko, a Ukrainian soldier who in 2021 probably defected to Russia, was released from enemy captivity. 10 780 36 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Third stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 303 defenders from Russian captivity. PHOTOS Today, 25 May 2025, the third stage of the 1000-for-1000 prisoner exchange took place. Ukraine returned another 303 servicemen from Russian captivity. 6 308 37 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Second stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 307 defenders. PHOTOS On 24 May, another 307 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the 1000-for-1000 exchange. 7 176 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
First day of major POW exchange: 390 Ukrainians return from Russian captivity. PHOTOS On May 23, 390 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity. This marks the first phase of the prisoner exchange under the "1000-for-1000" format. 11 058 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Zelenskyy holds meeting on preparations for "1000-for-1000" prisoner swap. PHOTOS President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on preparations for the exchange of prisoners of war. 1 262 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Forty servicemen of Ministry of Internal Affairs were released from Russian captivity – Klymenko. PHOTOS On 6 May, another POW exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Among those released from captivity were 40 servicemen of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 2 456 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine brings back 205 soldiers from Russian captivity (updated). VIDEO&PHOTOS On May 6, 2025, another POW exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place. 13 229 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine returns 277 soldiers from Russian captivity. VIDEO+PHOTOS Today, on 19 April, Ukraine returned another 277 defenders from Russian captivity. 12 853 25 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
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. 8 459 28 Previously in trend: AFU captured occupiers in Kursk region captured occupiers
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. 4 144 5 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
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. 7 866 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Azov fighters returned from Russian captivity
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. 14 015 22 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine returns 150 soldiers from Russian captivity (updated). PHOTOS Ukraine returned 150 defenders from Russian captivity. 13 871 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy. PHOTOS Ukraine returns 25 military and civilians from Russian captivity 6 432 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War
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