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Captives remain a critical issue in the war between Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine has recently made significant efforts to secure the release of its citizens from captivity. The EU has established a group to coordinate the efforts of other countries to free people being unlawfully detained. Meanwhile, Russia continues to delay the implementation of agreements on exchanges. A total of 1,596 people have been returned this year alone, but thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity. The situation of the defenders of Mariupol is particularly difficult, with negotiations over their release still ongoing. Numerous cases of abuse of captives have also been documented, including torture by the Russian occupiers.
How many Ukrainian captives are currently being held by Russia?
As of today, the detention of 1,878 civilians has been confirmed, although the total number may be as high as 16,000. A significant number of Ukrainian prisoners of war also remain in Russian captivity, and Ukraine continues negotiations with Russia to secure their release.
Which organisations are helping to secure the release of Ukrainian captives?
The European Union is actively involved in these efforts and has established an informal group to coordinate the work of its member states. Ukraine also cooperates with international partners to facilitate prisoner exchanges.
Have Ukrainian captives been subjected to torture in Russia?
Yes. Numerous cases of torture have been documented. In particular, the bodies of 375 people have been returned with clear signs of abuse. Ukraine continues to fight for the rights of its citizens held in Russian captivity.
How many captives has Ukraine brought home this year?
Ukraine has already brought 1,596 people home from Russian captivity this year. Although this is a significant achievement, further efforts are needed to secure the release of the remaining prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians.
What is Russia’s position on prisoner exchanges?
Russia continues to delay prisoner exchanges despite the agreements already reached. In particular, the “1,000-for-1,000” exchanges have been delayed by the Russian side, complicating the release of Ukrainian citizens.
What is known about the defenders of Mariupol held in Russian captivity?
Securing the release of the defenders of Mariupol remains one of the most difficult issues in the exchange process. Negotiations concerning their return are still ongoing.
Are Ukrainian civilians also being held by Russia?
Yes. The detention of 1,878 Ukrainian civilians has been officially confirmed, while the actual number may be as high as 16,000. Ukraine continues working to secure their release.
Why are Ukrainian captives still awaiting release?
Thousands of Ukrainians remain in captivity because Russia delays the implementation of exchange agreements. Negotiations continue with the involvement of Ukraine’s international partners.
News Captives
Soldiers of 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade capture occupier who infiltrated Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka to film propaganda video. VIDEO Servicemen from a mobile fire group of the anti-aircraft missile battalion of the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign captured a Russian soldier in the Kostiantynivka sector. 3 034 5 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Russian propaganda
SOF fighters covertly infiltrated enemy settlement, carried out mop-up operation and took ruscist prisoner. VIDEO Operatives from Group ‘F’ of the 1st Detachment of the 144th Special Operations Forces Centre carried out a successful special operation in one of the operational sectors, during which they captured a Russian serviceman and cleared a designated sector of the settlement. 2 827 4 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
Fighters of Defence Intelligence’s International Legion clear occupiers’ positions near Stepnohirsk and capture ruscist. VIDEO Fighters of the Revenge Tactical Group of the International Legion of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine successfully cleared Russian positions near Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region. 2 888 2 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces captured occupiers Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction foreign volunteers in the armed forces
Russian media reported that Russia is preparing new prisoner exchange with Ukraine Russia has announced that it is preparing a new prisoner-of-war exchange with Ukraine. At the same time, the Ukrainian side has not officially confirmed that a new phase of the exchange will take place in the near future. 1 054 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
406 Ukrainians died in Russian captivity, hundreds of forms of torture used against captives – Prokopenko At least 406 Ukrainian military personnel and civilians have died in Russian captivity since the start of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, the Russian occupiers subject Ukrainian prisoners of war to 695 forms of torture. 1 411 6 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons
Special forces from 73rd Naval Special Operations Centre seized enemy boat and took five occupiers prisoner. VIDEO Soldiers from the 73rd Naval Centre of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces carried out a successful operation on the Dnipro, during which they seized an enemy boat and took five Russian soldiers prisoner. 10 352 16 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
Hart Brigade routs Russian assault groups in Kharkiv region: 43 occupiers eliminated, two captured. VIDEO Servicemen of the Hart Brigade thwarted another series of assaults by Russian forces in the north of the Kharkiv region, inflicting significant losses on the enemy. 5 393 2 Previously in trend: Destruction of Russian equipment Elimination of Russian occupying forces captured occupiers Repelling assault
Soldiers from 225th Assault Regiment captured 64 Russian occupiers in Zaporizhzhia sector. VIDEO In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Ukrainian defenders have significantly bolstered their pool of prisoners to be exchanged by taking 64 Russian occupiers captive. 15 230 23 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
EU imposes sanctions against leadership of Mordovian colony where Ukrainian prisoners were tortured The European Union has imposed sanctions against the leadership of Penal Colony No. 10 in Mordovia, where Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians are being unlawfully detained and tortured. Seven officials from the Russian prison system have been added to the sanctions list. 649 5 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons
Failed attempt to breach border leaves 32 occupiers eliminated and 5 captured. VIDEO Last week, Russian occupation forces repeatedly attempted to breach Ukraine’s state border in the Southern Slobozhanskyi sector, using small infantry groups across several sections. 6 494 4 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces captured occupiers
Prisoners were tortured, raped and left to freeze to death: two Russian sadists from Colony No. 7 in Vladimir region of Russian Federation have been identified. VIDEO The Office of the Prosecutor General has announced that charges have been brought against two Russian executioners who turned the detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages at Penal Colony No. 7 (in the village of Pakino, Vladimir region, Russian Federation) into a systematic... 2 941 7 Previously in trend: Investigation of Russian war crimes
Ukrainian drone equipped with loudspeaker forced three occupiers to surrender: "What’s the matter, you idiot? Don’t you want to live?". VIDEO Unique footage and accounts of a successful psychological and assault operation carried out by Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsk sector have been published online. Using a drone fitted with a loudspeaker, Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers managed to take three Russian invaders prisoner without... 5 158 6 Previously in trend: Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction captured occupiers
Suspicions against Russian war criminals: with assistance of Defence Intelligence, two further torturers of Ukrainian prisoners of war have been identified. PHOTO With the assistance of the Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and under the procedural guidance of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, operatives from the Criminal Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine and investigators from the Main... 2 163 2 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons
Fighters from "Skelia" regiment captured occupier using drone in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO In the Pokrovsk sector of Donetsk Oblast, drone operators from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment ‘Skelia’ of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Land Forces carried out a successful operation to capture a serviceman from the Russian occupation forces. A quadcopter equipped with an audio alert system... 26 978 14 Previously in trend: Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction captured occupiers
This year, Ukraine has already returned 1,596 people from Russian captivity, Zelenskyy says. VIDEO Ukraine continues to bring people back from Russian captivity, including 1,596 people who have already been freed this year. 684 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Ukraine has secured return of four sailors who were being held by Iran following seizure of their vessel in Strait of Hormuz, - Tykhyi Ukrainian diplomats have secured the release of four Ukrainian sailors who had been held by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps since April this year, following the seizure of their vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. 515 0 Previously in trend: Closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran
Ukraine and South Korea to discuss fate of North Korean military prisoners, - Reuters On June 30, Ukraine and South Korea will hold talks regarding prisoners of war from the DPRK who fought on Russia’s side in the war against Ukraine. 1 664 3 Previously in trend: DPRK soldiers in the Kursk region prisoners of war of the DPRK
Ukraine has already returned more soldiers from Russian captivity than are still in captivity, - Lubinets The number of Ukrainian defenders who have already been released from Russian captivity currently exceeds the number of servicemen who remain in captivity. 1 132 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Three ruscists raise hands and follow Ukrainian drone to surrender. VIDEO Drone operators of the Defense Forces used a UAV to spot three Russian soldiers and forced them to lay down their arms. 3 562 9 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Drone operators
Among 33 Azov servicemen released today, only two are defenders of Mariupol – Prokopenko During today’s prisoner exchange, 33 servicemen of the 1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU) "Azov" returned to Ukraine. At the same time, only two of them are fighters of the separate special purpose detachment "Azov" who defended Mariupol. 3 935 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Active Operations Department fighter shows footage of clearing enemy positions and capturing 7 ruscists. VIDEO Footage has been released online showing the Active Operations Department’s troops conducting a sweep of a wooded area during an attempted infiltration by Russian infantry. 7 373 22 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces captured occupiers
Russians finished off their own wounded with drones, whom Ukrainian Armed Forces had evacuated using a ground robot. VIDEO Russian military personnel have once again demonstrated cruelty towards their own soldiers by killing them after they were taken prisoner. According to Censor.NET, citing the unit’s press service, during combat operations, soldiers from the 33rd Separate Assault Regiment used a drone to remotely... 11 452 14 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
Ukrainian defenders of 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade took occupiers prisoner, who had been moving 13 km along gas pipeline in Orikhiv direction. VIDEO Soldiers from the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade captured Russian commandos who were attempting to infiltrate via a gas pipeline in the Orikhiv sector. 14 880 46 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Hostilities in the Orikhiv direction
Russian forces used drone to kill two of their comrades whilst they were attempting to surrender to AFU. VIDEO Aerial reconnaissance by the "Pegasus" strike UAV company of the 1st Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade has captured footage of two occupiers attempting to surrender. 8 866 10 Previously in trend: Drones against occupiers captured occupiers Elimination of Russian occupiers
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange is being prepared, Coordination Headquarters has handed over lists to Russian side, – Zelenskyy A prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis is being prepared. The Ukrainian Coordination Headquarters has already handed over lists of 1,000 people to be exchanged to the Russian side. 3 012 18 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Fighters from 8th Special Operations Regiment cleared forest strip and eliminated occupier who refused to surrender. VIDEO Ukrainian infantrymen from the 8th Regiment of the Special Operations Forces, part of the "UA_REG TEAM" unit, carried out a sweep of wooded terrain on one section of the front line. 5 971 5 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces Close-quarters combat
Zelenskyy confirms three-day ceasefire with Russia and POW swap, thanks Trump for diplomatic involvement As part of the US-mediated negotiation process, Russia has agreed to hold a POW swap in the format of 1,000 for 1,000. A ceasefire is also to be established on May 9, 10 and 11. 8 973 129 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia Zelenskyy about ceasefire
Facts of enemy’s killing of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war since start of full-scale invasion have been documented, - Office of Prosecutor General Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war, 116 criminal investigations have documented instances of the occupiers’ intentional killing of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war. 615 0 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs
China calls on Ukraine to treat prisoners of war who fought on side of Russian Federation humanely, — Chinese Foreign Ministry China has commented on the detention of Chinese citizens in Ukraine. 7 588 53 Previously in trend: Chinese mercenaries in Russian army
Special forces of DIU’s Legion capture six occupiers in Zaporizhzhia Oblast: "Face down! Relax, f#ck. Nobody will touch you!". VIDEO Military intelligence special forces carried out an effective operation to eliminate and capture enemy personnel on the southern front. As reported by Censor.NET, a video of the combat work of fighters from the Legion unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has... 7 696 8 Previously in trend: Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction
Fighters of Rubizh Brigade capture occupier scout who was hiding in Bilytske. VIDEO A reconnaissance group of the Special Purpose Reconnaissance Company of the 4th Operational Assignment Brigade Rubizh of the National Guard of Ukraine captured a Russian occupier during a clearing operation in buildings in the settlement of Bilytske, Donetsk Oblast. 4 364 2 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Situation in the Donetsk region
Five occupiers were captured by fighters from "Chervona Kalyna" brigade during sweep of private homestead in Pokrovsk direction. VIDEO Ukrainian defenders continue to successfully clear settlements near the front line and take enemy personnel prisoner. According to Censor.NET, in the Pokrovsk direction, fighters from the special reconnaissance company of the ‘Chervona Kalyna’ brigade captured five Russian occupiers. 4 709 4 Previously in trend: Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction
Ukraine preparing new prisoner exchanges – Zelenskyy Ukraine continues preparations for new prisoner exchanges with Russia, with documents and lists already prepared and negotiations ongoing. 873 12 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. 3 698 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
"SKELIA" regiment assault troops capture Russian mercenary from Kenya in Kupiansk. VIDEO Warriors of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "SKELIA" have captured a Russian mercenary who turned out to be a Kenyan citizen. 4 889 17 Previously in trend: African mercenaries of Russian army
Russian bows and crosses himself before Ukrainian drone, asking to be taken prisoner. VIDEO Aerial reconnaissance by Ukrainian forces continues to demonstrate not only high effectiveness in eliminating the enemy but also the ability to capture prisoners remotely. A video of a successful operation by fighters of the SKELIA Separate Assault Regiment near the village of Udachne in the... 9 153 9 Previously in trend: Situation in the Pokrovsk direction captured occupiers
Reconnaissance troops from Third Army Corps exposed infiltrated ruscists in forest. VIDEO Soldiers from the Third Army Corps cleared out enemy infantry that had infiltrated the forest within their area of responsibility. 6 817 5 Previously in trend: Elimination of Russian occupying forces Close-quarters combat captured occupiers
Two Ukrainian assault troops from 1st SAR captured eight Russian soldiers by "smoking them out" of dugout. VIDEO Footage has been published online showing assault troops from the 1st Separate Assault Regiment clearing an enemy dugout. 5 628 11 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
Russians killed three of their own soldiers, whom they mistook for wounded Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters, - 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade. VIDEO 18+ The command of the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade decided to test the enemy’s compliance with the ceasefire by sending Russian prisoners of war, dressed in neutral uniforms, on a test evacuation. The enemy spotted the group and targeted their own soldiers with FPV drones, resulting in the... 16 114 40 Previously in trend: Easter Truce
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. 4 822 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. 6 572 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
Occupiers surrendered to soldiers of 3rd Brigade but were eliminated by drones operated by their own accomplices. VIDEO Soldiers from the 3rd Separate Heavy Mechanised Brigade have shared a story from the Kharkiv region that illustrates how Russian troops treat their own accomplices. 14 431 21 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Destruction of the occupiers’ firing positions Drone operators
DIU soldiers captured two occupiers in Zaporizhzhia sector. VIDEO Soldiers from the "Stugna" unit, part of the "Timur Special Forces" of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, captured two Russian Federation servicemen whilst carrying out stabilisation operations in the Zaporizhzhia sector. 4 193 1 Previously in trend: Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction
DIU Special forces carried out successful clearance operation in Zaporizhzhia sector: occupiers were driven out of residential buildings. VIDEO The "Chimera" unit, part of the "Tymur Special Forces Unit" of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, carried out a successful operation to clear one of the settlements in the Zaporizhzhia sector. This was reported by Censor.NET, citing the Main Intelligence... 5 936 4 Previously in trend: Fightings in the Zaporizhzhia direction
More than 8,000 Ukrainians returned from captivity over four years – Coordination Headquarters Over four years since the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, 8,050 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity. 593 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap
SOF fighters, posing as Russians, captured four occupiers without firing a shot. VIDEO The Special Operations Forces (SOF) of Ukraine demonstrated the highest level of tactical skill and psychological testing of the enemy in the Lyman direction. According to Censor.NET, fighters from the 8th Separate SOF Regiment carried out a brilliant operation to clear enemy positions under the... 11 158 43 Previously in trend: Hostilities in Lyman sector
Over 100 Russian soldiers surrendered thanks to work of Ukrainian unmanned aerial units. VIDEO A video has been posted online showing Russian soldiers surrendering to Ukrainian drones. 3 306 5 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Drone operators
Pilots of "Madyar’s Birds" captured two occupiers with help of drone. VIDEO Operators of unmanned systems of the 414th Separate Brigade of Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems (SB SUAS) "Madyar Birds" carried out an operation to capture two Russian servicemen. According to Censor.NET, the process of surrendering the occupiers was fully recorded by objective control means. 4 389 4 Previously in trend: captured occupiers
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