14128 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

Photo news POWs

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 15 May 2026 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. 8 379 29 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange 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. 3 664 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine brings back 193 defenders in prisoner exchange Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner exchange: 193 defenders released. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have carried out another prisoner exchange. 5 645 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 11 April 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. 4 801 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 6 March 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. 6 527 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners on 6 March 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. 5 094 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war: what is known? 200 Ukrainian soldiers freed from Russian captivity. VIDEO&PHOTOS Ukraine and Russia have exchanged prisoners of war, with 200 Ukrainian defenders being returned. 7 690 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW return: Ukrainian soldier presumed dead since 2022 comes home back 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. 10 069 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange took place on 5 February: what is known? 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. 6 753 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Execution of prisoners 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. 6 867 68 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

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

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

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

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... 2 976 38

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." 20 213 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

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

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

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

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

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. 10 108 20 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

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

Soldiers are returning home. Prisoner exchange completed 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. 5 301 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 10 June 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. 8 322 19 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russian soldiers burned an inscription on the body of a captured Ukrainian defender 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. 19 171 68 Previously in trend: War crimes of Russia

Ukraine and Russia exchange prisoners on 9 June 2025 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. 7 457 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Anatolii Taranenko, traitor 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. 10 659 36 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

prisoner exchange 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. 6 252 37 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 24 May 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. 7 105 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 23 May 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. 10 997 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

"1000-for-1000" prisoner swap. Zelenskyy holds meeting 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. 1 218 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

MIA, exchange 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. 2 409 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW exchange on 6 May 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. 13 160 20 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page 1 of 2