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Captives

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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.

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Articles Captives

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. 6 625 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. 11 270 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. 7 564 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. 6 217 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. 19 288 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. 7 955 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. 179 425 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. 23 153 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. 10 132 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." 13 507 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. 6 187 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". 7 281 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. 7 677 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. 17 345 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. 7 037 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. 32 321 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? 474 0