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In the complex landscape of the ongoing conflict, the exchange and capture of hostages remain pivotal issues. Recent events highlight the 72nd prisoner swap, where 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians were freed. The Coordination Headquarters has actively facilitated these exchanges, often coinciding with significant national dates, such as Easter. Meanwhile, operational stories unfold, with heroic captures by Ukrainian forces. For instance, Ukrainian unmanned aerial units have been instrumental in securing Russian soldiers' surrenders, showcasing technological superiority. As hostilities continue, the exchange of prisoners — now tallying over 8,000 returnees in four years — underscores diplomatic efforts to resolve humanitarian concerns amid hostilities.

How many Ukrainians have returned from Russian captivity so far?

As of the latest reports, over 8,000 Ukrainians have been returned from Russian captivity over the past four years. This significant number reflects ongoing diplomatic and military efforts to facilitate prisoner swaps amid the enduring conflict.

What was the outcome of the recent prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia?

The recent 72nd prisoner exchange resulted in the release of 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians. This underscores continuous diplomatic negotiations and the importance of humanitarian efforts in the ongoing conflict.

What role do unmanned aerial units play in capturing hostages?

Unmanned aerial units, particularly Ukrainian drones, have played a critical role in compelling Russian soldiers to surrender. These advanced technologies provide strategic advantages in surveillance, negotiation, and reducing direct combat risks.

Are there any recent examples of Ukrainian forces capturing Russian soldiers?

Yes, Ukrainian forces consistently demonstrate tactical prowess in capturing Russian troops. For instance, special operations units successfully captured Russian soldiers during stabilization efforts in regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv, increasing negotiation leverage for exchanges.

What are the challenges faced in the prisoner exchange negotiations?

Negotiations for prisoner exchanges often face challenges such as political tensions, compliance with ceasefire agreements, and logistical complexities. Nonetheless, they remain a crucial component of diplomatic efforts to protect human rights amid conflict.

How does Ukraine ensure the safety of returned hostages?

After returning from captivity, Ukrainian authorities focus on providing medical care, psychological assistance, and reintegration programs to help former hostages recover from their ordeals and reintegrate into civilian life.

What impact do successful capture operations have on the conflict?

Successful capture operations by Ukrainian forces not only disrupt enemy communications and morale but also bolster Ukraine’s bargaining power in subsequent prisoner exchange negotiations, showcasing military and strategic competence.

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News hostages

Tsemakh included on exchange list, - Russian Interfax Tsemakh included on exchange list, - Russian Interfax The Appeal Court released key suspect in MH17 case Volodymyr Tsemakh on personal recognizance. 16 909 410 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17 Prisoner swap

Ukraine-Russia exchange of captives: Zelenskyi expects first results within next several days Ukraine-Russia exchange of captives: Zelenskyi expects first results within next several days The first results in the exchange of Ukrainian and Russian captives could appear in the next few days. 10 180 184 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Russia, Ukraine discussing prisoners exchange 33 for 33 Russia, Ukraine discussing prisoners exchange 33 for 33 The Russian Federation and Ukraine are discussing exchange of hostages and prisoners 33 for 33. 12 992 100 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukrainian sailor held in custody in Libya for three years returns to Kyiv Ukrainian sailor held in custody in Libya for three years returns to Kyiv A Ukrainian sailor, who has been accused by the Libyan authorities of committing an offence and held in custody since 2016, has returned to Kyiv. 1 364 7 Society

Ukraine Ukraine's Presidential Office proposes Vyshinskyi, Sentsov be freed simultaneously Ukraine's Presidential Office is ready to free RIA Novosti Ukraine chief Kirill Vyshinskyi if Russia simultaneously frees film director Oleg Sentsov, Ukrainian presidential press secretary Iuliia Mendel has said. 9 981 88 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Trilateral Contact Group agrees on exchange of prisoners in Trilateral Contact Group agrees on exchange of prisoners in '208 for 69' format The Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) at a meeting in Minsk on July 17 agreed to begin the procedure for the exchange of illegally detained persons, prisoners of war and convicts following a so-called legal clean-up, Ukraine's representative in the TCG's political subgroup, Roman Bezsmertnyi, has said. 3 271 17 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russia extends arrest of Ukrainian sailors for another three months Russia extends arrest of Ukrainian sailors for another three months Moscow’s court has extended the arrest of Ukrainian sailors-prisoners of war for another three months until October 24, 2019. 4 292 73 Previously in trend: Azov Sea blockade

Volker hopes Moscow will agree to prisoner exchange Volker hopes Moscow will agree to prisoner exchange The US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker has said he hopes that Russia will agree to the prisoner exchange and, if successful, it will be the result of direct engagement between the Ukrainian and Russian presidents. 9 088 141 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia Prisoner swap

Advisers to Normandy four leaders to meet late in summer Advisers to Normandy four leaders to meet late in summer Advisers to the heads of state and government of the Normandy Four states (Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia) plan to meet at the end of the summer to discuss the implementation of the agreements reached in July, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko said. 8 168 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Russian court extends arrest of captured Ukrainian sailors Russian court extends arrest of captured Ukrainian sailors The Lefortovsky District Court in Moscow has extended the arrest of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 3 791 29 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

Ukrainian hostages, excluded from swap lists, could be tortured to death in occupied territories, - Iryna Herashchenko Ukrainian hostages, excluded from swap lists, could be tortured to death in occupied territories, - Iryna Herashchenko Ukrainian hostages whose names are not on the swap lists could have been killed or tortured to death in the occupied Donbas territories. 9 577 56 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Ukrainian hostages in Russia Prisoner swap

Russia refuses to talk release of hostages and political prisoners, - Iryna Herashchenko Russia refuses to talk release of hostages and political prisoners, - Iryna Herashchenko Ukraine’s representative to the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Iryna Herashchenko said that Russia representatives refused to hold negotiations on the release of hostages. 2 102 19 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Prisoner swap

Russia persistently ignores Ukraine’s proposals to swap hostages before Orthodox Christmas, MP Iryna Herashchenko says Russia persistently ignores Ukraine’s proposals to swap hostages before Orthodox Christmas, MP Iryna Herashchenko says The Ukrainian side in the Trilateral Contact Group desolving Donbas conflijct has received no response from Russia and so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics" to its proposal to hold a videoconference on Dec. 27 regarding the release of hostages. 2 066 61 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Prisoner swap

“50 prisoners have missing teeth, five have hepatitis, six made suicidal attempts,” – MP Iryna Herashchenko on prisoners released in latest swap “50 prisoners have missing teeth, five have hepatitis, six made suicidal attempts,” – MP Iryna Herashchenko on prisoners released in latest swap Many of those liberated from captivity of the Russian mercenaries in the Donbas have various diseases, injuries, and psychological traumas. 28 486 85 Previously in trend: Lutsenko Cases Prisoner swap

Ukrainian serviceman Roman Savkov released from militants Ukrainian serviceman Roman Savkov released from militants' captivity, - MP Iryna Herashchenko A serviceman Roman Savkov has been released from captivity of the Russian-backed militants in a prisoner swap. 18 118 41 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

65 former militants’ hostages undergo treatment in hospitals as of Dec. 29, - MP Iryna Herashchenko 65 former militants’ hostages undergo treatment in hospitals as of Dec. 29, - MP Iryna Herashchenko Verkhovna Rada’s First Deputy Speaker, Ukraine’s representative to the humanitarian group of the Trilateral Contact Group settling the Donbas conflict Iryna Herashchenko dwelled on the health of Ukrainians liberated from the militants’ captivity. 6 429 38 Incidents

Released separatists enjoyed no warm welcome: they were packed into buses, locked up in dungeons, - Donbas militant on prisoner swap Released separatists enjoyed no warm welcome: they were packed into buses, locked up in dungeons, - Donbas militant on prisoner swap A pro-Russian separatist Maxim Ravreba says the representatives of the so-called “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” gave a not very nice welcome to their henchmen liberated in the prisoner swap on Dec. 27. 88 473 242 Incidents

Names of freed Ukrainian hostages made public Names of freed Ukrainian hostages made public The large-scale prisoner swap between Ukraine and the self-styled “Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics” took place on Dec. 27. Ukraine handed over 233 persons requested by the militants in exchange for 73 Ukrainians including 16 held in the "LPR" and 57 – in the “DPR”. The names of about 60 of them have been made public so far. 11 380 44 Incidents

"Heroes, welcome home!” liberated Ukrainian hostages enjoy warm reception at Boryspil airport "Heroes, welcome home!” liberated Ukrainian hostages enjoy warm reception at Boryspil airport The large-scale prisoner swap was successfully held in the Donbas on Dec. 27. Ukraine handed over 233 persons requested by the Russian mercenaries in exchange for 73 Ukrainian hostages. 16 909 115 Incidents

“We’ll triple our effort to liberate you,” - Poroshenko to hostages still held in Donbas “We’ll triple our effort to liberate you,” - Poroshenko to hostages still held in Donbas Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko says that the government will make even greater effort to release those who remain in captivity in the “LPR”/“DPR” after 73 people were liberated in Wednesday swap. 5 956 107 Incidents

73 Ukrainian hostages exchanged for 233 separatists, - MP Iryna Herashchenko gives update on prisoner swap 73 Ukrainian hostages exchanged for 233 separatists, - MP Iryna Herashchenko gives update on prisoner swap First Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian parliament, Ukraine’s representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group settling the conflict in the Donbas Iryna Herashchenko unveiled updated figures on hostages liberated in the latest prisoner exchange. 19 648 186 Incidents

74 Ukrainians held by Donbas militants released in prisoner swap 74 Ukrainians held by Donbas militants released in prisoner swap 74 hostages previously held in the occupied Donbas have been liberated as a result of today’s prisoner exchange. 18 824 131 Incidents

Prisoner swap underway near Horlivka: “LPR” terrorists brought 16 Ukrainian hostages, - Hromadske Prisoner swap underway near Horlivka: “LPR” terrorists brought 16 Ukrainian hostages, - Hromadske Ukrainian government and Russian-backed militants of the self-proclaimed “Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics” started prisoner exchange near Maiorsk checkpoint in the vicinity of occupied Horlivka. 10 875 33 Society

митинг пленные Relatives of Ukrainian hostages held by Kremlin picket Ukraine-EU Summit with demands to increase prisoners release efforts Activists, relatives, and families of Ukrainian citizens held hostages by the Kremlin have picketed the EU-Ukraine Summit with the demand to make maximum efforts to release of Ukrainian prisoners from the Russian captivity. 7 539 24 Ukrainian Politics

Minsk negotiators agree to approve list of prisoners unwilling to return to separatists under swap program The Tripartite Contact Group to resolve the conflict in the Donbas (Ukraine-OSCE-Russia) re-agreed the harmonization of the list of detainees who refuse to be taken to the temporarily occupied areas of the Donbas under prisoner swap program. 6 004 16 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Number of hostages held by Russian-backed militants increased to 126, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The total number of hostages held by the terrorists in the occupied Donbas has increased. 6 021 19 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

тандит SBU says 3,136 prisoners released or located, 416 considered missing in Donbas 3,136 Ukrainian prisoners have been released from the terrorists’ captivity or located in the Donbas since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. 416 persons still remain unaccounted for. 6 537 36 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Feygin on Savchenko's trip to Donbas: "It's a special operation paid by Medvedchuk and agreed with FSB" Trips of independent people's deputy Nadiia Savchenko to the occupied Donbas could be Viktor Medvedchuk's special operation prepared in coordination with the Russian authorities. 29 265 85 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

савченко "I've arrived in Ukraine's occupied territory to set our POWs free," - Savchenko in Donetsk A video of people's deputy Nadiia Savchenko visiting Ukrainian prisoners in occupied Donbas has been released online. 84 654 406 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Savchenko published lists of Ukrainian prisoners she visited in Donbas MP Nadiia Savchenko published the lists of Ukrainian prisoners she visited in the occupied Donbas. 54 953 185 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

боевик Law enforcers capture militant involved in tortures against Ukrainian POWs, - PGO A "DPR" terrorist charged with brutal treatment of Ukrainian servicemen has been detained in the Donetsk region. 199 563 404 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

авдеевка Ukrainian military repulse enemy, improve their tactical set-up near Avdiivka, - journalist However, the chances that the militants will further try to regain lost ground is still high. 175 397 166 Ukrainian Politics

gjhjityrj Ukraine willing to make resolute action to release hostages held in Russia and occupied territories, - Poroshenko Ukraine is determined to make necessary steps to achieve prompt release of the hostages held in the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied territories. 31 629 118 Previously in trend: Ukrainian hostages in Russia

суд беркут Russia seeks release of ex-Berkut officers accused of Maidan murders Moscow seeks release of the former Berkut officers with the help of the ''DPR'' and ''LPR'' leaders. 58 375 227 Previously in trend: Investigation of crimes against Maidan

"Lists should be updated as they are not correct now," - Savchenko on lists of POWs and MIA Lists of Ukrainian fighters who have been captured (POW) or went missing in action (MIA) in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, published by independent MP Nadiia Savchenko, are incorrect. This information will be updated. 18 924 195 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

тандит Ukrainian government willing to swap 228 militants’ accomplices for 48 Ukrainian hostages The Ukrainian government is ready to give 228 persons to the so-called “DPR”/“LPR” in exchange for 48 Ukrainians held hostage by the militants. 14 291 120 Incidents

Ukraine hands over 15 supporters of separatists to "LPR," - SBU Ukraine has handed over 15 supporters of separatists, previously detained for participating in anti-Ukrainian activities, to representatives of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics." 11 513 62 Ukrainian Politics

военные военнослужащие ато воины воин муравский No one killed, two Ukrainian soldiers wounded, two captured by militants yesterday, - ATO spokesperson Two Ukrainian military were wounded, two captured by militants in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine on Dec. 26. 13 745 6 Incidents

Donbas militant leaders to release two captive women "as goodwill gesture" “DPR” and “LPR” militant leaders Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitsky announced their intention to hand over two Ukrainian female prisoners to non-affiliated MP Nadiia Savchenko "as a gesture of goodwill." 35 044 200 Incidents

тандит Process of transferring 15 people to Russian militants about to complete, - SBU head adviser Tandit Ukraine continues its efforts aimed at releasing its prisoners from the self-proclaimed Donbas republics. 8 443 118 Ukrainian Politics

геращенко Militants demand to release 700 their accomplices in exchange for 50 Ukrainians, - MP Iryna Herashchenko The list of those, whom the militants demand to release, includes murderers and other high-level criminals. 80 192 374 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

безъязыков Colonel Beziazykov, recently liberated from terrorists’ captivity, detained on suspicion of collaborating with militants, - wife Military intelligence operative, Ukrainian Armed Forces Colonel Ivan Beziazykov, freed from the militants’ captivity in the summer of 2016, has been detained on suspicion of collaborating with the so-called “DPR”. 184 879 283 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

савченко SBU checks information on Savchenko’s meeting with "DPR"/"LPR" leaders Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiia Savchenko failed to notify the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) of her visit to Minsk to meet with the leaders of the so-called "Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics". 64 074 253 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine