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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

Georgians capture two Russians Georgian soldiers in Armed Forces of Ukraine captured two Russian infantrymen in Vovchansk direction A unit of Georgian fighters serving in Ukraine’s Defense Forces captured two Russian infantrymen during a clearance operation on the Vovchansk front in Kharkiv region. 7 237 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Umierov Ukraine and Russia agree to resume agreement on exchange of 1,200 prisoners, - Umierov Ukraine and Russia have agreed to activate the Istanbul agreements on the exchange of prisoners of war. This involves the release of 1,200 Ukrainians from Russian captivity. 2 311 15 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Footage of GUR fighters clearing enemy positions in the Lyman direction DIU special unit "Artan" conducted clearance operation against occupiers in Lyman direction A video shared online shows the DIU special forces unit "Artan" storming and clearing enemy positions in the Lyman direction. 4 210 4 Previously in trend: Destruction of the occupiers captured occupiers Elimination of Russian occupiers

Two Russian occupiers Two occupiers can’t grasp they’ve been captured: "Where are our weapons?" - "You’re prisoners, wake up." Ukrainian soldiers captured two occupiers who were heading to reinforce a seized position. 23 939 31 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Soldiers captured a Russian Soldiers of 63rd SMB captured occupier: "I didn’t shoot. I was looking for food. I haven’t eaten for six days" Soldiers of the 63rd Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine tracked down and captured a Russian occupier. 9 392 13 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Occupiers surrender Five occupiers surrender to soldiers of 5th SAB Units of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Separate Assault Brigade successfully conducted assault operations in one of the frontline areas. 3 399 2 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Soldiers capture occupiers near the village of Vilne in Donetsk Oblast Three Ukrainian soldiers captured seven Russian occupiers near village of Vilne in Donetsk Oblast During the clearing of dachas near the village of Vilne, Donetsk region, three Ukrainian stormtroopers from the 25th separate assault battalion "Lynx" captured seven Russian soldiers at once. 7 974 23 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Border guards in the Pokrovsk direction captured the occupier "Guys, don’t come here. This is not your war": captured occupier gives "advice" to invaders In the Pokrovsk direction, border guards captured another occupier who tried to "earn money for repairs". 4 211 9 Previously in trend: interview with captured occupier captured occupiers

Prisoner exchange on 1 October Ukraine and Russia carry out prisoner swap: 185 defenders freed On October 2, Ukraine brought back another group of prisoners of war from Russian captivity. 6 518 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Mykolaienko on Russian captivity Former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko on Russian captivity: They beat us and fed us just enough so we wouldn’t starve to death. We picked nettles to get at least some vitamins Former Kherson Mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko has lost 25 kilograms while in enemy captivity. 2 748 5 Previously in trend: Russians hold former mayor of Kherson captive

DIU "We don’t take prisoners, shoot them," commander of occupiers gives order to execute captured Ukrainian soldiers Another war crime of the occupation army was recorded by Ukrainian intelligence officers. In an intercepted conversation, the commander of a Russian unit gives an order to execute captured Ukrainian servicemen. 7 083 38 Previously in trend: Execution of Ukrainian POWs

The FSB actively uses the families of prisoners for PSYOPs Russians use relatives of captured and missing soldiers to gather intelligence and carry out special tasks Russian special services are actively hunting down the families of captured and missing Ukrainian military personnel. 889 2 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Prisoner exchange. Who is Russia giving up besides the military? Russia sometimes transfers citizens convicted of common criminal offenses to Ukraine as part of prisoner exchange, - Deputy Prosecutor General Leshchenko As part of prisoner exchanges, Russia sometimes transfers citizens convicted of general criminal offenses to Ukraine. 1 637 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Mykolaienko on Russian captivity Do not exchange us for territory – former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko Former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko, who recently returned from Russian captivity, spoke at a farewell dinner for Andrii Parubii in Kyiv. 5 451 7 Previously in trend: Murder of Andrii Parubii

Border guards in the Pokrovsk direction captured Russians Border guards captured nine occupiers in Pokrovsk direction, - State Border Service of Ukraine On 24 August, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, soldiers of the rapid response of border commandant's office of the Chernihiv border detachment repelled another attack by Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk direction. 6 585 4 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

Azov soldiers describe what is happening in the Pokrovsk direction Reconnaissance troops of 1st Corps of NGU "Azov" captured ruscists who killed Ukrainian soldier: situation in Pokrovsk direction Reconnaissance men of the 14th Operational Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine "Chervona Kalyna" captured a group of Russian occupiers. 17 173 14 Previously in trend: Russian assault on Pokrovsk direction Combat operations in the Pokrovsk direction captured occupiers

Exchange Among those released from captivity on 24 August were former Kherson mayor Mykolaienko and journalists Khyliuk and Kaliush As part of the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia, former Kherson mayor Volodymyr Mykolaienko and journalists Dmytro Khyliuk and Mark Kaliush were returned home from Russian captivity on 24 August. 7 198 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Exchange Another prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place On Sunday, 24 August, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Soldiers of the Armed Forces, the National Guard, the State Border Guard Service and civilians are returning home to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Most of them have been in captivity since 2022. 8 227 38 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukrainian soldier killed at the front line a few days before his father’s return from captivity Soldier killed in battle few days before his father’s return from three years in Russian captivity The sad news came from the Zaporizhzhia sector: a soldier, Yaroslav Boichuk, son of the famous Mariupol defender Oleksandr Boichuk, was killed while performing a combat mission. 5 474 7 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine

War Captured Russians spoke about failure of offensive on Pokrovsk and inhumane conditions in Russian army Three Russian soldiers — Artem Smirnov, Sergey Morgunov, and Eldar Zakiev — were captured by Ukrainian defenders during combat operations near Pokrovsk. They were part of different small assault groups, but they all ended up in the same place. 8 444 14 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Prisoner exchange on 14 August 2025 What is known Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners: 84 people, including military personnel and civilians, freed Ukraine and Russia conducted another prisoner exchange. They managed to free 84 people, both military and civilians, from Russian captivity. 4 540 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 23 July Last defender of Zmiinyi Island has been returned from captivity - Coordination Headquarters During today's prisoner exchange, the last defender of Zmiinyi Island returned to Ukraine. 4 893 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap Ukraine and Russia carried out prisoner exchange. Seriously ill and severely wounded defenders return home – Zelenskyy On July 23, a POW swap took place between Ukraine and Russia. Seriously ill and severely wounded defenders were returned home to Ukraine. 6 345 15 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Umerov Over 1,200 people to participate in humanitarian exchange between Russia and Ukraine – Umerov The delegations of Ukraine and Russia at the negotiations in Istanbul discussed the next stages of prisoner and civilian exchanges. 1 776 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

headquarters, coordination, coordination center Ukrainians released from captivity will be able to help establish places of detention of prisoners - Coordination Center The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has launched a feature that allows released Ukrainians to help identify the whereabouts of other prisoners. 659 0 Previously in trend: Ukrainians in Russian captivity

occupiers, prisoners 24th Brigade soldiers capture paratroopers of Russia’s 98th Division in Chasiv Yar Soldiers of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo captured paratroopers of the Russian Federation’s 98th Division in Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region. 9 180 10 Previously in trend: captured occupiers

war Russians fighting for Ukraine captured African mercenary in Zaporizhzhia direction Fighters of the "Freedom of Russia" legion, fighting on Ukraine’s side, captured a 29-year-old Nigerian who was sent to war by the Russian authorities after being threatened with imprisonment for drug trafficking. 6 262 21 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Skala regiment fighters captured occupiers Nine captured Russian soldiers. Failed attack by occupiers on Dnipropetrovsk region The "Skala" regiment's assault fighters captured nine Russian Armed Forces soldiers in two days of fighting. The Russian military tried to gain a foothold beyond the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions, but thanks to decisive actions and good planning, the "Skala" fighters managed to defeat the enemy. 6 914 13 Previously in trend: captured occupiers Butusov Plus

A marine’s barehanded fight with the occupier Ukrainian marine Kharkevych recounts capturing occupier: "I’m sitting in pit, and one of bodies runs past in front of me. I hit him in nose with my rifle butt and dragged him in towards me" During a hand-to-hand fight, he captured a Russian soldier and thwarted at least 10 assaults by the Russian army. In May 2025, 27-year-old marine Vasyl Kharkevych from the village of Maleve in the Rivne region received the "Golden Star" Hero of Ukraine from Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hands. 6 082 7 Previously in trend: Awarding the title Hero of Ukraine

war "Joy" of freed captive occupiers turned out to be staged Another exposé of the Russian propaganda machine has been posted online - a draft video showing the staged emotions of Russian soldiers released from captivity during the exchange. 28 551 76 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Zelenskyy’s address There is agreement that prisoner exchanges will continue next week, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that prisoner exchanges would continue next week, at least this is the agreement. 863 5 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Zelenskyy’s address

prisoner exchange Defenders liberated from captivity have injuries and health problems, most of them are Mariupol defenders, most of them are officers - Coordination Center Today, the next stage of a large exchange of prisoners in the category of "wounded and seriously ill" took place in accordance with the agreements in Istanbul. 3 250 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

occupier Captured by Ukrainian Armed Forces, occupier admits to being satanist – returned to Russia in POW swap While Kremlin propaganda claims that Russia is waging war in Ukraine "for the Orthodox faith," some occupying soldiers in its own army turn out to be satanists. One of them, Danil Sergeevich Garan, was captured by Ukraine’s Armed Forces and returned to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange on June 9. 7 072 26 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on June 10 All Ukrainian defenders liberated today have serious injuries and serious illnesses - Coordination Center Today, on June 10, the first stage of the exchange of prisoners in the category of "seriously wounded and seriously ill" took place in Istanbul under the agreements with Russia. 4 303 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Captive Ukrainians Unidentified persons call relatives of our prisoners and urge them to appeal to international organizations and White House - Coordination Center Another wave of calls to relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war has been recorded. Unidentified persons introducing themselves as "representatives of the Russian authorities responsible for the exchange" are trying to exert pressure and manipulate the trust of the relatives of our defenders. 1 507 4 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

war Security Service of Ukraine releases exclusive footage of POW swap On June 9, Ukraine carried out another prisoner exchange. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) released exclusive photos and videos from the event, capturing emotional moments of Ukrainian defenders returning home. 5 936 4 Previously in trend: Situation at front

Ukraine and Russia begin prisoner exchange – Who was released first? Umerov on POW swap: Phased return of specific categories of POWs planned Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of a large-scale POW swap took place as part of the agreements reached in Istanbul. 1 766 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia to exchange prisoners on June 9, 2025 Mariupol defenders who spent more than 3 years in captivity are among those liberated today - Coordination Center Today, June 9, 2025, the first stage of the prisoner exchange took place under the agreements in Istanbul. 3 940 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Russia has still not provided complete lists of more than thousand prisoners whose exchange was agreed in Istanbul, - Zelenskyy Russia has not yet provided full lists of more than a thousand prisoners of war, the exchange of which was agreed upon in Istanbul. 2 787 22 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap Ukraine and Russia agree on preliminary timeline and mechanisms for new POW swap – DIU During negotiations held in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on a new prisoner exchange. Specifically, the sides coordinated the timeline and mechanisms for implementation. 1 213 1 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

POW swap on 24 May Ukraine and Russia agree to exchange all severely wounded POWs and individuals under 25 – Umerov During the second round of talks in Istanbul on June 2, Ukraine and Russia agreed on new prisoner exchanges under the "all for all" format, focusing on specific categories: the severely wounded and seriously ill, as well as youth aged 18 to 25. 4 434 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

President of Ukraine Zelenskyy Zelenskyy after talks in Istanbul: New exchange of prisoners of war is being prepared After the Turkish-mediated talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a new exchange of prisoners of war is being prepared. 2 697 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey

Locations in Russia where Ukrainian prisoners are being held have been identified 186 locations where Ukrainian prisoners are being held in Russia have been identified, where representatives of Red Cross and other monitoring missions are not allowed, according to Coordination Headquarters Russian special services have created fake organisations that imitate humanitarian missions in places where Ukrainian prisoners are held. As a result, international human rights organisations are not allowed to visit Ukrainian prisoners. 868 1 Previously in trend: Detention conditions of POWs

Kursk Ukrainian Armed Forces captured 971 Russian occupier during Kursk operation - General Staff During the Kursk operation, the Ukrainian military captured 971 Russian occupiers. 2 321 31 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap UAF operation in the Kursk region

U.S. President Donald Trump Trump leaked secret of major prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia - Politico Despite strict secrecy, U.S. President Donald Trump was the first to make public the details of the large-scale prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia that was to take place on May 23. Publicity could have jeopardized the safety of the prisoners and disrupted the operation. 15 323 63 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on May 24 We do not forget about those who are still waiting. Everyone is important, - Umierov about today’s exchange of prisoners Today, another 307 Ukrainians were released from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the exchange under the agreements reached with the Russian side in Istanbul. 1 131 9 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 24 May Second stage of "1000 for 1000" exchange: Ukraine returns 307 defenders On 24 May, another 307 Ukrainian servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. This is the second stage of the 1000-for-1000 exchange. 7 101 13 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Kellogg responded to the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia on May 23 Prisoner exchange is the most positive result of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul - Kellogg US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, reacted to the exchange of prisoners between Ukraine and Russia under the first stage of the "1000 for 1000" formula, which took place on May 23. 810 11 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap Negotiations in Turkey