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Recent military operations in Ukraine have resulted in the capture of numerous Russian soldiers. Special Operations Forces have been pivotal in these successes, conducting raids and ambushes to detain enemy combatants. These strategic maneuvers not only disrupt Russian advances but also bring critical intelligence into Ukrainian hands. The capturing of the Russian personnel is an ongoing element of the conflict, reflecting the dynamic and tactical nature of modern warfare. As Ukraine secures more prisoners, it strengthens its position both on the battlefield and in diplomatic engagements concerning captives and potential exchanges.

How do Ukrainian forces capture Russian soldiers?

Ukrainian forces use a combination of ambushes, surprise raids, and coordinated assaults to capture Russian soldiers. Special Operations Forces play a crucial role in executing these operations, often infiltrating enemy lines swiftly and capturing soldiers without excessive violence, reflecting their strategic acumen and tactical precision.

What happens to Russian soldiers once they are captured by Ukraine?

Once captured, Russian soldiers are typically processed according to international law regarding prisoners of war. They may provide valuable intelligence and may be exchanged in future negotiations. The treatment of captives adheres to the Geneva Conventions, ensuring humane conditions until any potential exchange or resolution.

How does the capture of soldiers impact the conflict in Ukraine?

The capture of soldiers impacts the conflict by temporarily weakening enemy forces and boosting Ukrainian morale. It provides Ukraine with negotiation leverage for prisoner exchanges, disrupts enemy plans, and allows for the gathering of intelligence that can further assist in tactical and strategic planning against opposing operations.

Have there been any high-profile prisoner exchanges recently?

Yes, Ukraine continues to engage in prisoner exchanges as part of diplomatic negotiations. These exchanges often involve the return of Ukrainian soldiers or civilians held captive in exchange for Russian military personnel. Such activities not only relieve the anxiety of families of captives but also serve as political and humanitarian gestures between conflicting parties.

What are the typical conditions for soldiers in captivity?

Soldiers in captivity are typically held under conditions governed by international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions. They are provided with basic needs such as food, water, and medical care. Any claims of mistreatment are taken seriously, with oversight from international bodies to ensure compliance with humane standards.

How does Ukraine's capture strategy affect international perception?

Ukraine's capture strategy, focusing on adherence to international law and humane treatment, tends to enhance its international reputation. It showcases commitment to lawful conduct even during conflict, earning support and credibility on the global stage. This approach aligns with efforts to garner international support and foster alliances.

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Articles Captives

How veteran Vladyslav Sambur is fighting to recover UAH 4 million paid during his captivity to his mother, who had been stripped of parental rights How veteran Vladyslav Sambur is fighting to recover UAH 4 million paid during his captivity to his mother, who had been stripped of parental rights "A mother stripped of parental rights squandered her son’s UAH 4 million while he was in captivity" — headlines like this swept through the media last year. This is the story of Vladyslav Sambur, a serviceman with the 501st Separate Marine Battalion. After almost three years in captivity, a shock awaited him back home: his military unit had been paying his entire salary and additional remuneration to someone who, legally, had no ties to him. 12 095 28 Previously in trend: payments to families of prisoners of war

How Russians lied about having "captured" Kupiansk. Russian POW recounts story How Russians lied about having "captured" Kupiansk. Russian POW recounts story A Russian prisoner of war recounts how he ended up at war because of a drug dead drop and a contract signed under duress, how he found himself in an assault company staffed with convicts, how he hid among civilians in Kupiansk, and how he was later held captive by his own commanders — where Chasnyk kept his fellow soldiers trapped under the rubble while lying to his superiors about having "full control" of the city. 6 987 11 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Butusov Plus

Captured Russian penal unit soldier: One route where everyone dies Captured Russian penal unit soldier: One route where everyone dies Soldiers of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine killed another assault group of Russian troops near the village of Starytsia. It so happened that in this assault group, among the latest batch of prisoners who survived the battle, there was another Russian penal unit soldier. 11 395 23 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Interviews with captured Russian troops: Draft officer came to pretrial detention center: "Talks are under way now, war will end. For now, it’s boot camp, boom, and you’re already home... Maybe you’ll get lucky." No such luck Interviews with captured Russian troops: Draft officer came to pretrial detention center: "Talks are under way now, war will end. For now, it’s boot camp, boom, and you’re already home... Maybe you’ll get lucky." No such luck Captured Russian troops recount how their commanders abandoned them. 7 686 13 Previously in trend: Butusov Plus Captured Russian mercenaries

"I survived Mariupol, then had to survive captivity" – Artur Shkeul, 501st Separate Marine Battalion "I survived Mariupol, then had to survive captivity" – Artur Shkeul, 501st Separate Marine Battalion Artur Shkeul, a marine from Berdiansk, signed his contract in 2016 and had already gained combat experience in Donbas before 2022. His brother Vladyslav served alongside him and nearly lost his life in 2019. Artur had to personally save his brother, holding a neck tamponade. 6 309 1 Previously in trend: Rescuing soldiers from captivity

Captured occupiers told how they went to Pokrovsk Captured occupiers told how they went to Pokrovsk Three servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces - Artem Smirnov, Sergey Morgunov and Eldar Zakiyev - moved towards Pokrovsk as part of different small assault groups. The outcome for them was the same, and far from being the worst compared to their comrades - captivity. 19 348 15

Interview with captive native of Donetsk region who fought in 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade of RF Armed Forces Interview with captive native of Donetsk region who fought in 83rd Guards Air Assault Brigade of RF Armed Forces Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Simonov, born on March 12, 1981, was born, raised, and worked in the city of Dobropillia, Donetsk region — in Ukraine. In 2014, after the onset of Russian aggression, he gathered his family and fled to Russia, settling in Tula. Ten years later, in March 2025, Simonov made his final choice: he signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense and returned to Ukraine as part of the occupying army. 8 004 23 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier

"Guys in captivity are forced to walk with their heads constantly bowed down in places of detention." How those who survived captivity are rehabilitated and retrained to move "Guys in captivity are forced to walk with their heads constantly bowed down in places of detention." How those who survived captivity are rehabilitated and retrained to move "We cannot comprehend what the Russians are doing. Neither as normal people nor as doctors. Perhaps this is some new form of torture. They were not just told to lower their heads; their entire torso had to be bent forward with their hands behind their backs," says Yuliia, head of the department at the National Guard of Ukraine’s medical center and a specialist in physical rehabilitation medicine. 179 494 13 Previously in trend: Torture of POWs in Russian prisons Rehabilitation of military

When I saw infantry training, I realized it was doomed to fail – captured dollar millionaire from Novosibirsk When I saw infantry training, I realized it was doomed to fail – captured dollar millionaire from Novosibirsk Klimov Daniil Nikolaievich, born on April 29, 2004, serviceman of the 74th Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, 1444th Regiment. Dollar millionaire, an "office worker" from Novosibirsk. 23 586 5

Ukrainian fighter went in alone to clear tree line near Siversk and capture six Russian assault troopers Ukrainian fighter went in alone to clear tree line near Siversk and capture six Russian assault troopers A soldier from the 4th National Guard Brigade "Rubizh," "Syla Svobody" (Power of Freedom) Battalion, tells the story of his own heroic act — an incredible wartime episode captured by a drone. 10 186 13 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Russian company commander with five soldiers surrendered Russian company commander with five soldiers surrendered A significant development occurred near Kharkiv. A Russian company commander, a lieutenant from St. Petersburg, withdrew the remnants of his company from their position, and they voluntarily surrendered to the soldiers of the 13th National Guard Brigade "Khartiia." 13 618 11 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier captured occupiers

Russian assault trooper threw grenade into his commander’s dugout and surrendered to Ukrainian drone Russian assault trooper threw grenade into his commander’s dugout and surrendered to Ukrainian drone An incredible story. In front of a Ukrainian drone operator from the 13th Brigade of the National Guard "Khartiia," a Russian fighter-assault trooper threw grenades and killed his company commander. After the elimination, the Russian raised his hands and surrendered to the drone. 6 264 6

Stories of two Russian POWs who ended up at "zero line" Stories of two Russian POWs who ended up at "zero line" Two of the eight Russian occupiers from the 74th Separate Motor Rifle Brigade (SMRB) of the Russian Armed Forces, who were captured in the Pokrovsk direction by 50-year-old assault troops from the 425th Separate Assault Regiment (SAR) ’SKALA,’ (ROCK) share their stories of how they ended up at the "zero line". 7 320 5

Captured Russian: Disabled people are also thrown into assault, and even if there are 18 shrapnel in body Captured Russian: Disabled people are also thrown into assault, and even if there are 18 shrapnel in body A prisoner of war of the Russian Armed Forces, Staff Sergeant Yevhen Agafonov from Krasnodar Territory, tells about a "disabled assault team" where a 64-year-old infantryman with a cane fought, the lack of evacuation in case of injury, and the inability to return to Russia for treatment. 7 734 9

Truth about Chosen Company: Did Americans kill Russian POWs? Truth about Chosen Company: Did Americans kill Russian POWs? We talk about the legendary video of this war and one of the craziest assault operations in August 2023, as well as the NYT scandal and war crimes accusations - about this and more with Ryan O’Leary, one of the most respected people in the Russian-Ukrainian war. The American veteran of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is the commander of CHOSEN COMPANY, a volunteer unit in the Ukrainian infantry. 17 513 10

Russian captured UAV operator: They gave me only armour and helmet, told me to find assault rifle on spot Russian captured UAV operator: They gave me only armour and helmet, told me to find assault rifle on spot Roman Zhuravlev, a private in the Russian army, was captured near the village of Lyptsi when he was fetching water at 6am. It took only a week from the moment his unit arrived at the Kharkiv frontline to his capture. 7 085 15

"Returned tortured man had missing part of his brain, rag was sewn in instead," Anastasiia Savova, coordinator of families of captured marines "Returned tortured man had missing part of his brain, rag was sewn in instead," Anastasiia Savova, coordinator of families of captured marines The aggressor country holds Ukrainian prisoners of war in 42 pre-trial detention centers and penal colonies, where it uses numerous forms of torture, of which starvation and beatings seem the most innocuous. There is information that prisoners who are citizens of the Russian Federation have been resettled from most detention centers and colonies, which means that there is a deliberate policy of physical and mental extermination of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 32 384 34

Sex under siege: Ukrainian drama uncovers how war affects intimacy Sex under siege: Ukrainian drama uncovers how war affects intimacy What happens to people’s personal relationships – and, more specifically, their sexual lives – in a time of conflict? 490 0