19332 visitors online
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.

show details

Photo news hostages

Prisoner exchange Most prisoners returned today were illegally held in Chechnya – Coordination Headquarters Today, the 73rd prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. It became a continuation of the Easter exchange and the implementation of the relevant agreements. 3 650 3 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Prisoner exchange on 11 April Coordination Headquarters on exchange: most of those freed are defenders of Mariupol. Twenty-five officers whom the Russian Federation had refused to hand over have been returned Today, on the eve of the joyous Easter holiday, the 72nd prisoner exchange took place. As a result of the negotiation process, 175 Ukrainian servicemen and 7 civilians have been returned from Russian captivity. 4 776 10 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Ukraine and Russia carried out a prisoner exchange on 6 March Prisoner exchange takes place: 175 military personnel and seven civilians freed, — Zelenskyy Today, 11 April 2026, a prisoner exchange took place between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 175 servicemen were released from enemy captivity. 6 484 14 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

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

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

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

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 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

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

POW swap on 23 May First day of major POW exchange: 390 Ukrainians return from Russian captivity On May 23, 390 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity. This marks the first phase of the prisoner exchange under the "1000-for-1000" format. 10 983 53 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

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

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

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

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

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

обмін полоненими Process of last exchange was extremely difficult. Among freed are 38 soldiers of National Guard, 2 policemen, and 2 border guards - Klymenko Among the Ukrainian servicemen released from enemy captivity the day before were 42 employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 4 538 15 Previously in trend: War

повернення з полону Ukraine returned 95 defenders from Russian captivity - Zelenskyy Ukraine has released 95 soldiers from Russian captivity, including Azovstal defenders. 11 489 23 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

ГУР вперше показало росіян, яких взяли в полон на заблокованому Вовчанському агрегатному заводі Ukrainian soldiers captured about two dozen occupiers during operation to liberate aggregate plant in Vovchansk - DIU At the final stage of the liberation of the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant, Ukrainian defenders managed to capture about two dozen Russian invaders. The unique operation, which lasted more than a week, was carried out by scouts from the Timur Special Forces unit, fighters from the Stugna, Paragon, Junger, RDC, Terror, and BDK units. 12 876 38

Акція на підтримку полонених та оборонців Маріуполя у Києві 18 вересня Rally in support of captured and missing defenders of Mariupol was held in Kyiv On 18 September, a peaceful rally was held in the capital in support of captured and missing defenders, including the defenders of Mariupol. 1 382 7

звільнені полонені Today’s prisoner exchange was organized by UAE, - coordination headquarters Today, 14 September 2024, another prisoner exchange took place. It was organised with the help of the United Arab Emirates. 2 958 4

Україна повернула з російського полону 115 воїнів Ukraine returns 115 defenders from Russian captivity (updated) On 24 August, Independence Day, Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war. 115 Ukrainian soldiers returned home. 21 522 86 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

полонені Soldiers of 22nd SMB replenish exchange fund in Kursk region The soldiers of the 22nd Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who are performing combat missions in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, have good results in terms of prisoners. 10 478 18 Previously in trend: War

СБУ взяла в полон 102 військових РФ на Курщині SSU special forces capture 102 Russian soldiers in Kursk region - source SSU special forces captured 102 Russian soldiers in the Kursk region. 21 297 77 Previously in trend: War

ДПСУ показала фото захисників, які вчора повернулися в Україну з російського полону. What Ukrainian defenders who returned home after being tortured in Russian captivity look like The State Border Guard Service published photos of Ukrainian soldiers who returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity on 25 June. 24 282 34 Previously in trend: War

полонені Zelenskyy: 90 people returned home from Russian captivity On 25 June, another 90 Ukrainians returned home from Russian captivity. 13 544 47

Звільнені з полону воїни Lost 40-50 kg of weight, but did not let themselves be broken: photos of Ukrainian soldiers released from captivity are published Shocking photos of Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian captivity have been published. Our defenders have lost 40-50 kg of weight. 27 549 54 Previously in trend: War

Роман Горилик після полону Senior controller of checkpoint of Chernobyl NPP Roman Horylyk after 2 years of Russian captivity Ukrainian Roman Horylyk has lost a lot of weight over the 2 years of his Russian captivity, and representatives of international organizations have never visited him during this time. This was reported by Censor.NET with reference to the project "I Want to Live". 31 147 58 War in Ukraine

прикордонники що повернулися з російського полону What prisoners look like after being tortured in Russian prisons The State Border Guard Service has published photos of border guards who returned from Russian captivity today. 31 548 51 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

військовополонені Organisation of today’s prisoner exchange was facilitated by UAE - Coordination Centre The 50th prisoner exchange took place today: Ukraine returned another 207 Ukrainian defenders. As part of the work of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, on behalf of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, more than two hundred Ukrainian defenders have been returned. 5 692 23 Previously in trend: War

військовополонені,обмін Ukraine returns 207 prisoners of war home Today, 31 January, a major exchange of prisoners of war took place. Ukraine returned 207 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians from Russian captivity. 20 042 54 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

захід,окупанти Occupants surrender in groups in Zaporizhzhia direction due to heavy losses and inhuman attitude of commanders - OC "West" In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the second group of Russian occupants from the 71st Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces surrendered. 16 386 37 Previously in trend: War

нацгвардія Four occupiers were captured by soldiers of National Guard in Zaporizhzhia direction Soldiers of the National Guard in the Zaporizhzhia direction captured four Russian invaders. 13 577 19 Previously in trend: War

богачук,акція,полонені Action in support of civilian victims of enforced disappearances held in Kyiv On 17 October, the anniversary of the ’great women’s exchange’, an event in support of civilian prisoners was held on Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv. 2 016 2 Incidents

прикордонники 4 border guards returned from Russian captivity Four border guards returned from Russian captivity. 3 318 8 Previously in trend: War

угорщина Three Ukrainian prisoners of war were taken out of Hungary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said It was possible to return to Ukraine three prisoners of war out of 11, which Russia handed over to Hungary. 17 492 95 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

полонені,азовці Trial of 22 captured Azov’s soldiers has begun in Russia On Wednesday, 14 June, the trial of more than 22 Ukrainian servicemen captured during the fighting in Ukraine began in southern Russia. 27 796 77 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

полонені,рдк RVC has already handed over captured Russian military personnel to Ukraine for exchange fund The RVC fighters have already handed over captured Russian servicemen to Ukraine for the exchange fund. 17 118 93 Previously in trend: War

полонені Another batch of captured occupiers captured in Bakhmut direction Soldiers of the 3rd Assault Brigade captured another batch of occupants in the Bakhmut direction. 20 544 34 Previously in trend: War

обмін During prisoner exchange, three pilots shot down in Kharkiv region in 2022 returned to Russia During the prisoner exchange, three military pilots shot down in the Kharkiv region in the spring of 2022 returned to Russia. Ukraine managed to return 45 Mariupol defenders from Russian captivity. 20 318 58 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

чуднецов Twice in enemy captivity: Yevhen Chudnetsov, "Azov" soldier, was freed yesterday Yesterday, on 6 May, a soldier of the Azov Regiment, Yevhen Chudnetsov, was released from enemy captivity. 42 602 81 Previously in trend: War

полон,обмін AFU soldier released from captivity with an apple On 26 April 2023, another prisoner exchange took place. The journalists caught a glimpse of a released Ukrainian soldier who was very happy to see an apple. 47 859 91 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

обмін Big Easter exchange of prisoners: Ukraine returned another 130 people (updated) Ukraine held the big Easter exchange of prisoners. 20 486 70 Previously in trend: War

обмін Ukraine returned another 100 people from Russian captivity. Among them are defenders of "Azovstal" and Hostomel Ukraine managed to conduct another large exchange of prisoners. 16 991 20 Previously in trend: War

Page 1 of 2