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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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TOP news hostages

sof captured the occupiers Ukrainian troops capture nine occupiers in Pokrovsk sector Operators of the 144th Centre of the Special Operations Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated an industrial building from enemies and captured nine Russian servicemen in the Pokrovsk sector. 8 955 8 Previously in trend: War Fighting in the east

: Ukraine prepares new prisoner exchanges with Russia Ukraine preparing new prisoner exchanges – Zelenskyy Ukraine continues preparations for new prisoner exchanges with Russia, with documents and lists already prepared and negotiations ongoing. 818 12 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Zelenskyy 175-for-175 prisoner swap was prepared in advance – Zelenskyy The 175-for-175 prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia, which was discussed during a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, had been planned in advance. 2 848 8 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

Kenyan mercenary in the Russian army "SKELIA" regiment assault troops capture Russian mercenary from Kenya in Kupiansk Warriors of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment "SKELIA"  have captured a Russian mercenary who turned out to be a Kenyan citizen. 4 801 17 Previously in trend: African mercenaries of Russian army

полонені Zelensky called for exchange of prisoners in format "all for all" President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called for the exchange of prisoners with Russia on the principle of "all for all", as well as the release of all adults and children deported to Russia. 3 349 8 Previously in trend: War

Lubinets Russia provides list of civilians taken from Hrabovske, no children among them – Lubinets Russia has provided a list of citizens it took from the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region. Negotiations are currently underway to return these people to the territory of Ukraine. 2 001 8 Previously in trend: Russia evacuated 50 civilians

зеленський Four Ukrainian sailors are being held captive by Houthis – Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that four Ukrainian sailors are currently being held captive by the Houthis. 1 664 8 World

богнер,матильда UN mission has not yet reached places where Ukrainian prisoners are held - head of the mission, Bogner At the same time, specialists of the mission freely visited places of the internment of Russian prisoners in Ukraine. 935 8 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

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

повернення 15 months in captivity: defenders of Zmiinyi Island returned to Ukraine The defenders of Zmeinyi Island, Yevhen Kotliarenko and Oleksandr Kompaniets, returned home from Russian captivity. 9 327 8 Previously in trend: War

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

оленівка New shelling of Olenivka colony: Ukraine has not yet received victims’ names - Lubinets Ukraine has not yet received any victims’ names as a result of today’s shelling of Olenivka colony by Russian occupants. Russians themselves are reporting that one Ukrainian prisoner of war was killed and four more wounded. 3 793 7 Previously in trend: War

Обмін полоненими Ukraine and Russia to hold major prisoner exchange today - Bloomberg Ukraine and the Russian Federation, with the mediation of the United Arab Emirates, are planning a major prisoner exchange. 6 244 7 Previously in trend: War

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

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

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

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

Полонені росіяни We continue to replenish exchange fund, - Syrskyi Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi welcomed today's prisoner exchange, during which 103 soldiers returned to Ukraine. 5 652 7

полон,обмін Prisoner exchange process complicated by position of aggressor state, - Zelenskyy The process of exchanging prisoners between Ukraine and Russia is complicated because of the aggressor country. But now our state is working to return a quite large number of defenders. 1 184 7 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

аслін,піннер,саадун Ukraine demands from Russian Federation humane treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, - MFA Ukraine condemns the wrongful treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian Federation, in particular the use of them for its own political purposes. 2 336 7 Previously in trend: War

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

Fighters escort two captured Russians Scouts from 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar" captured two occupiers while clearing positions: "You keep messing around — you’ll get bullet in your head. Got it?" Ukrainian defenders continue to drive the enemy out of fortifications in one of the hottest areas of the front line. According to Censor.NET, a unique video of close combat, filmed with a helmet camera by one of the scouts, has appeared online. 8 062 7 Previously in trend: Close-quarters combat captured occupiers

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

полонені Budanov on Pope’s idea of "all-for-all" prisoner exchange: I fully support it. It remains to convince Russia At present, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine does not see any interest from the Russian side in a total exchange of prisoners. 1 372 7 War in Ukraine

SOF fighters destroy SRG SOF fighters eliminated Russian saboteur and captured two occupiers during special operation A unit of the 8th Regiment of the Special Operations Forces of Ukraine carried out effective special operations, during which a sabotage and reconnaissance group of Russian troops was detected. 7 255 7

Prisoner exchange Ukraine is constantly promoting possibility of "all-for-all" exchange of prisoners with Russia - Coordination Center Ukraine has lists of citizens held in Russian captivity and is constantly promoting the possibility of an "all-for-all" exchange. 1 032 7

полонені Russians bring Ukrainian prisoners for exchange, and then return them to colonies and tell them that Ukraine allegedly refuses to exchange them, - Lubinets The Russian invaders bring captured Ukrainian defenders allegedly for exchange, and then return them to the colonies and say that Ukraine refuses to exchange them. 3 375 6 Previously in trend: War

The father of a freed defender became a symbol of joy during today’s prisoner exchange Waited more than three years: father learns his son has returned from captivity On Thursday, February 5, 157 defenders returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity. Among the service members who came home was the son of Ivan Roman. The father had been waiting for his son to return from Russian captivity for more than three years. 4 749 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

дмитро,кулеба OSCE officially activates "Moscow Mechanism" for Ukrainian civilian hostages held by Russia - Kuleba At Ukraine’s initiative, OSCE participating states officially activated the Moscow Mechanism for Ukrainian civilian hostages held by Russia. 3 279 6 Incidents

вмс,полонені Three marines returned from Russian captivity - Navy Three servicemen of a separate marine infantry battalion of the Navy of Ukraine were released from Russian captivity. 8 382 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

фрост Terrorist attack in Olenivka colony. Sentenced to death Azov’s Frost. Part 2 A 24-year-old machine gunner of "Azov" with codename "Frost" survived fierce battles in Mariupol, was sentenced to death by occupants, but survived captivity and returned home on exchange. 10 317 6 Previously in trend: War

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

дмитро,кулеба There are three ways to return civilian prisoners from Russia, - Kuleba However, since one of them is a dialogue with Russia, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, there are only two ways left. 2 152 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap 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. 741 6 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

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

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

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

парє PACE condemned attempts of show trial for Ukrainian prisoners of war The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly condemned any attempts at a fake show trial of Ukrainian prisoners. 1 858 6 Society

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

лубінець Ukraine and Russia are working on large exchange: Lubinets handed over list of 800 people, Moskalkova - 200 Turkish Ombudsman Seref Malkok said that Ukraine and Russia were working on a large exchange, which could involve 1000 people in total. 4 118 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

дмитро,лубінець Russians imitated exchanges for captured Ukrainian soldier and said he was abandoned by Ukraine – Lubinets One of the soldiers, who was released today as part of a prisoner exchange, reported moral abuse by the Russian Federation. He was assured that Ukraine had allegedly abandoned him. 5 616 6 Society

Zelenskyy on prisoner exchange Russia has halted prisoner exchange process, - Zelenskyy President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russian side had halted the prisoner exchange process because it was not involved in it. 2 569 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap

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

лубінець Positive news on exchanges is possible this week, - Lubinets Until Ukrainian authorities return absolutely all our fellow citizens from Russian captivity, both civilian hostages and prisoners of war, exchange work will not be completed. 1 187 6 Previously in trend: Prisoner swap War

бій Soldiers captured four occupiers near Bakhmut Ukrainian soldiers captured four occupants who were caught off guard while clearing an enemy position. 9 673 6 Previously in trend: War

обмін,звільнені During 10 months, 1696 Ukrainians have been released from Russian captivity, - Lubinets Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has returned 1696 Ukrainians from captivity. 1 150 6 Previously in trend: War

полонений Three occupiers were captured by Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk direction Three Russian invaders were captured by the AFU and their colleagues from a friendly unit of the Defence Forces. 9 878 6 Previously in trend: 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