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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

A Russian under the surveillance of a drone walks into captivity Occupier waves cheerfully to Ukrainian drone and strides briskly into captivity Border guards captured a Russian occupier using a drone. 12 073 21

war crimes of Russian troops Russians shooting captured Ukrainian soldiers The occupiers shot at least six captured soldiers after seizing a Ukrainian position. 51 912 245

drone with loudspeaker convinced Russian to surrender Russian obeyed Ukrainian drone with loudspeaker, raised his hands in air and walked into captivity Soldiers of the 63rd Separate Mechanised Brigade captured the occupier in the Serebrianskyi Forest, calling on him to surrender using a drone equipped with a loudspeaker. 9 557 20

hostages, liberation Hamas releases first three Israeli hostages under ceasefire agreement The Hamas group handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross. The hostages were released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that came into force on January 19. 3 717 43

captive occupier Eskimo Azov Brigade fighters capture an Eskimo from Magadan During the hostilities in the Toretsk direction, fighters of the 12th Special Forces Brigade of the Azov National Guard captured a soldier of the Russian Armed Forces. He turned out to be a member of Russia's national minority, the Eskimo people. 16 008 67

paratroopers captured Russians. Nine pieces Fighters laid nine captured Russians in courtyard of private farm and began their initial interrogation Ukrainian paratroopers captured nine Russian soldiers. 18 192 19

Сaptured North Korean Ukrainian investigators continue to communicate with captured soldiers from DPRK, - Zelenskyy Communication between captured soldiers from North Korea and Ukrainian investigators continues. 4 695 21

Horishnyi, Butkevych and Dzhelial at the UN Security Council meeting Former Ukrainian POWs tell UN Security Council about torture in Russian captivity: Inhuman treatment, use of electroshock At an informal meeting at the UN Security Council, former Ukrainian prisoners spoke about their stay and numerous tortures in Russian prisons, calling on the UN to make every effort to free the prisoners. 6 769 10

Russian POWs Our paratroopers captured 3 occupiers and evacuated 13 civilians in Kurakhove direction Three small assault groups of the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, each consisting of 4 paratroopers, launched an attack at dawn on January 1 in the Kurakhove direction. 4 589 7 Previously in trend: War

Zelenskyy Ukraine is ready to hand over its captured soldiers to DPRK if Kim Jong-un organizes return of Ukrainian soldiers from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready to hand over its soldiers to DPRK dictator Kim Jong Un if he can arrange an exchange for our soldiers held captive in Russia. 9 960 80

Sybiha comments on capture of first North Korean military Sybiha about DPRK prisoners in Kyiv: Maximum pressure on regimes in Moscow and Pyongyang is needed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has commented on the capture of the first North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region, who were taken to Kyiv. 5 450 34

Two North Koreans captured Defense forces captured two North Koreans. They are already communicating with SSU - Zelenskyy Our soldiers captured North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region. These are two soldiers who, although wounded, survived. They have now been taken to Kyiv, where they are talking to SSU investigators. 14 116 62

captured Italian, mercenary of the Russian Federation Italian citizen who fought in Russian army was captured in Kharkiv region Paratroopers of the 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine captured an Italian who fought on the side of the Russian occupiers. 13 319 55

medical assistance to occupiers in captivity Ukrainian medic argues with and helps captured Russian: "Buryat, b#tch. F#cking Yakutia" A video recording of a fragment of medical care provided to a captured Russian was published online. 18 980 51 Previously in trend: War

189 Ukrainians returned from captivity on New Year’s Eve Five captured defenders of Chornobyl NPP returned to Ukraine today - Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources During the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine on December 30, 5 defenders of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant returned home. 2 326 13

Coordination Center on the exchange of prisoners of war on December 30 One of largest exchanges since beginning of full-scale invasion took place today, 173 privates and sergeants and 14 officers were released - Coordination Center On Monday, 30 December, 189 citizens were released and returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among those who returned are prisoners of war in the Kursk region, civilians, and National Guardsmen from the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. 7 627 21

Soldiers escorting prisoners Drone operators watching convoy of occupiers’ prisoners: "They’re coming. It was ours who had just took 13 or 14 f#ggots" Ukrainian soldiers captured a group of 14 occupiers in one of the combat areas. 9 117 8 Previously in trend: War

soldiers of the third SAB captured the Russians Soldiers of 3rd SAB capture enemy position and take seven occupiers prisoner The soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade (SAB), supported by two tanks, attacked the enemy position and captured seven occupiers. 9 487 9 Previously in trend: War

Paratroopers of 77th Airborne Brigade captured 11 occupiers. Among them is Belarusian 77 Separate Airmobile Brigade captures 11 occupiers: one of them is citizen of Belarus The soldiers of the 77th separate airmobile Naddniprianska brigade, together with other units, captured 11 Russian invaders. 8 197 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians show video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in war in Ukraine Russia releases video of interrogation of Australian allegedly captured in Ukraine: country verifies information Russian propagandists have spread a video showing an Australian citizen allegedly captured during the fighting in Ukraine being interrogated. Australia is currently checking the authenticity of the video and identifying the man. 6 806 9 Previously in trend: War

occupier surrenders in Toretsk sector Two soldiers captured five occupiers in battle in Toretsk sector Two soldiers of the 28th SMB named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign captured five occupiers in a battle in the Toretsk sector. 7 705 16 Previously in trend: War

Russians ordered execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war We were ordered not to take anyone prisoner, to shoot everyone - occupier during interrogation at SBS The Russian military received an order to shoot Ukrainian prisoners of war. 12 042 25 Previously in trend: War

Civilians in Russian captivity Lubinets: 16,000 Ukrainian civilians held in Russian captivity Currently, the Russian Federation holds more than 16,000 Ukrainian civilians in captivity, and only 168 civilians have been released. 890 4

Paratroopers captured 11 Russians in Kursk region Soldiers of 80th Air Assault Brigade capture 11 Russian servicemen in Kursk region Soldiers of the 80th Separate Air Assault Galician Brigade captured 11 Russian soldiers during a battle in the Kursk region. 12 177 0 Previously in trend: War

Dmytro Lubinets Lubinets on return of prisoners: There is communication, I hope there will be positive news by New Year Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that he hopes for positive news about the return of prisoners by the New Year, but stressed that one cannot be 100% sure when it comes to agreements with Russia. 740 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

How many Ukrainian mayors are held captive by Russia: Zelenskyy's statement At least six city mayors and heads of communities are now in Russian captivity, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the world has little reaction to what Russia is doing to Ukrainian prisoners. 966 6 Previously in trend: War

SOF fighters capture marines of 810th brigade SOF fighters eliminated 17 Russians and captured 12 during attack on enemy position in Kursk region of Russia: "Hands behind your head, bitch!" During an attack on enemy positions in the Kursk region, the Special Forces operators from the 73rd Marine Centre and the 6th "Ranger" Regiment killed 17 Russians and captured 12 more. 14 344 15 Previously in trend: War

Ukrainian Special Forces raid Russian positions in Kursk region Special Operations Soldiers of SOF conducted raid in Kursk region and captured 8 occupiers, eliminated 7 more Special Operations Soldiers of SOF conducted a successful operation behind enemy lines, destroying Russian troops and capturing the occupiers. 7 785 9 Previously in trend: War

captured, russians Fighters captured four Russian marines in Kursk region: "Thanks to Yozhyk and Simba for taking us out unharmed" Soldiers of the 252nd Battalion in Kursk region captured four Russian marines from the 40th Brigade. 9 734 22 Previously in trend: War

Galician paratroopers take 11 occupiers prisoner Galician paratroopers capture 11 Russian invaders in battle in Kursk region During a battle in the Kursk region, soldiers of the 80th separate air assault brigade captured 11 Russian soldiers. 11 201 28 Previously in trend: War

Marines capture two occupiers Marines of 35th Brigade "trophy" two occupiers Soldiers of the 35th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Ostrogradskyi captured two Russian soldiers. 7 062 37 Previously in trend: War

Most Russian prisoners are former prisoners Most of Russians who are captured are former prisoners - Khortytsia OSGT Most of the occupiers who are captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces are former prisoners who joined the Russian army in exchange for amnesty. 1 544 20 Previously in trend: War

У РФ заявили про полоненого британця на Курщині, який воював за ЗСУ Russian Federation says it has captured British man, Anderson, who fought on side of Ukraine in Kursk region. British Foreign Office responded James Scott Rhys Anderson, a 22-year-old British citizen fighting on the side of Ukraine, was allegedly captured by Russian troops in the Kursk region of Russia. 18 940 42

Копантки 3rd SAB clears Kopanky in Kharkiv region, where occupiers broke through, and captures new batch of prisoners The third assault brigade cleared the occupied village of Kopanky in the Kharkiv region. 15 973 22

морпіхи із 810-ї бригади у полоні In Kursk region, SOF fighters capture four Russian marines from 810th Brigade of Russian Army The Ukrainian Armed Forces' Special Forces captured four marines from the 810th Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces in Kursk region. 14 852 29 Previously in trend: War

Російський командир наказує розстріляли полоненого ЗСУ "Take position to shoot back, kill POW right away": Russian commander orders to commit war crime - interception of DIU The commander of the Russian army gives his subordinates an order to commit a war crime - to shoot a captured Ukrainian soldier. 10 166 6 Previously in trend: War

полонені захоплені у Куп’янську Soldiers put three surviving occupiers who had broken through to outskirts of Kupyansk on ground and tied them up: "I did nothing," - "F#cking ’nothing’" A video has been posted online showing Ukrainian soldiers tying up the surviving occupiers who were trying to break into Kupiansk in Kharkiv region with an armoured personnel carrier. 21 864 33 Previously in trend: War

Акція Порожні стільці у Києві 15 листопада 2024 року "Empty Chairs" event in support of captured and missing journalists and artists held in Kyiv On 15 November, a human rights event "Empty Chairs" was held on St Sophia Square in Kyiv in support of journalists, writers, cultural figures and human rights activists who have gone missing, been imprisoned or are in Russian captivity. 767 0

полонений окупант Border guards capture Russian soldier, eliminate about dozen more occupiers Soldiers of the border guard commandant's office "Shkval", 7th Carpathian border guard detachment, captured a Russian soldier, killed about a dozen occupiers, and wounded several in the area of Serebrianskyi forestry. 8 113 5 Previously in trend: War

бійці полонили обісраного росіянина Soldiers captured group of occupiers: "This one shit himself, f#ck. F#cking shitteds!" Ukrainian soldiers captured a group of occupiers. 19 066 38 Previously in trend: War

У 2024 році збільшилося кількість справ про розстріл військовополонених ЗСУ This year, number of proceedings on execution of Ukrainian POWs increased more than 4 times - Prosecutor General’s Office In 2024, compared to 2022 and 2023, the number of criminal proceedings opened over the shooting of captured Armed Forces soldiers by ruscists increased more than 4 times. 802 3

росіянин здається у полон Soldiers of 225th SAB captured surviving Russian stormtrooper The soldiers of the 225th separate assault battalion destroyed the enemy assault group and captured the surviving occupier. 10 466 2 Previously in trend: War

ЗСУ зупинили контрнаступ російських військ на Курщині, - комендатура Lubinets sent letters to UN and ICRC regarding another execution of our prisoners by occupiers: How many more lives must be lost for world to act? Russian troops may have shot at least two unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war at close range in the Kursk region. 1 527 15

полонений Captured Russian soldier about "disabled assault team": "If you don’t sign contract, you have to assault with wounds" The 46-year-old Russian squad leader, Staff Sergeant Yevhen Gaponov, went to war in Ukraine in September 2022. He was mobilised from the Krasnodar Territory of the Russian Federation. 5 356 28 Previously in trend: War

Конференція в Канаді More than 45 countries signed commitment to return civilian and POWs captured by Russia to Ukraine - Coordination Headquarters for Treatment of POWs In Montreal, during a ministerial conference on the human dimension of war, more than 45 countries signed a commitment to return civilians, POWs and children captured by Russia to Ukraine. 628 0

африканський найманець полонений росіянин Two Russians were captured by fighters of 10th SMAB "Edelweiss" Soldiers of the 109th battalion of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" captured two Russian occupiers. 14 059 66 Previously in trend: War

Незалежна комісія ООН визнала російські катування злочином проти людяності Torture by Russian Federation of captured Ukrainian civilians and soldiers is crime against humanity - UN Independent Commission Russian authorities commit torture against Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war, which are classified as crimes against humanity. 1 667 19

окупант здається у полон Russian man puts his hands up in air and goes to be captured by Ukrainian drone Under the threat of a drop from the Ukrainian drone, the Russian put his hands up and followed the drone to surrender. 9 168 9 Previously in trend: War